Phased Array Antenna Applications on Universal Frequency Translation

ABSTRACT

A universal frequency translation module (UFT) frequency translates an electromagnetic (EM) input signal by sampling the EM input signal according to a periodic control signal (also called an aliasing signal). By controlling the relative sampling time, the UFT module implements a relative phase shift during frequency translation. In other words, a relative phase shift can be introduced in the output signal by sampling the input signal at one point in time relative to another point in time. As such, the UFT module can be configured as an integrated frequency translator and phase-shifter. This includes the UFT module as an integrated down-converter and phase shifter, and the UFT module as an integrated up-converter and phase shifter. Applications of universal frequency translation and phase shifting include phased array antennas that utilize integrated frequency translation and phase shifting technology to steer the one or more main beams of the phased array antenna.

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/796,824, filed on Mar. 2, 2001, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/590,955, filed on Jun. 9, 2000, both ofwhich are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS

The following applications of common assignee are related to the presentapplication, and are herein incorporated by reference in theirentireties:

“Method and System for Down-Converting Electromagnetic Signals,” Ser.No. 09/176,022, filed Oct. 21, 1998, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,551on May 9, 2000;

“Method and System for Frequency Up-Conversion,” Ser. No. 09/176,154,filed Oct. 21, 1998;

“Method and System for Ensuring Reception of a Communications Signal,”Ser. No. 09/176,415, filed Oct. 21, 1998, issued as U.S. Pat. No.6,061,555 on May 9, 2000;

“Integrated Frequency Translation And Selectivity,” Ser. No. 09/175,966,filed Oct. 21, 1998, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,049,706 on Apr. 11, 2000;

“Integrated Frequency Translation and Selectivity with a Gain ControlFunctionality, and Applications thereof,” Ser. No. 09/566,188, filed May5, 2000;

“Applications of Universal Frequency Translation,” filed Mar. 3, 1999,Ser. No. 09/176,027, filed on Mar. 3, 1999.

“Method and System for Down-converting Electromagnetic Signals HavingOptimized Switch Structures,” Ser. No. 09/293,095, filed on Apr. 16,1999;

“Method and System for Down-converting Electromagnetic Signals IncludingResonant Structures for Enhanced Energy Transfer”, Ser. No. 09/293,342,filed on Apr. 16, 1999;

“Matched Filter Characterization and Implementation of UniversalFrequency Translation Method and Apparatus,” Ser. No. 09/521,828, filedon Mar. 9, 2000; and

“Method and System for Down-Converting an Electromagnetic Signal,Transforms for same, and Aperture Relationships,” Ser. No. 09/550,644,filed Apr. 14, 2000, Attorney Docket No. 1744.0010009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is generally related to frequency translation,phase-shifting, and applications of the same, including but not limitedto antenna applications.

2. Related Art

Various communication components exist for performing frequencydown-conversion, frequency up-conversion, phase shifting and filtering.Also, schemes exist for signal reception in the face of potentialjamming signals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to integrated frequency translation andphase shifting, and applications of same. Such applications include, butare not limited to: integrated frequency down-conversion and phaseshifting, integrated frequency up-conversion and phase shifting, andphased array antennas that utilize integrated frequency translation andphase shifting.

A universal frequency translation module (UFT) frequency translates anelectromagnetic (EM) input signal by sampling the EM input signalaccording to a periodic control signal (also called an aliasing signal).By controlling the relative sampling time, the UFT module implements arelative phase shift during frequency translation. In other words, arelative phase shift can be introduced in the output signal by samplingthe input signal at one point in time relative to another point in time.As such, the UFT module can be configured as an integrated frequencytranslator and phase-shifter. This includes the UFT module as anintegrated down-converter and phase shifter, and the UFT module as anintegrated up-converter and phase shifter.

As used herein, the word “integrated” refers to functionality, andgenerally means that certain functions are performed in a unified orcollective or combined manner. This term does not necessarily refer toimplementation, and the invention need not be implemented as anintegrated circuit (IC), although an implementation of the inventionincludes IC implementation.

In embodiments, the control signal includes a plurality of pulses, andthe relative sampling time of UFT module is controlled by introducing arelative phase shift in the pulses of the control signal. Additionally,the pulse width of the control signal is established to improve energytransfer from the input signal to the frequency translated signal.

In embodiments, a pulse generator generates the control signal, and istriggered according to a local oscillator (LO) signal. Morespecifically, the pulse generator triggers and produces a pulse when theamplitude of the LO signal exceeds a threshold that is associated withthe pulse generator. As such, the relative phase shift of the controlsignal is determined by the relative time that the LO signal exceeds thethreshold of the pulse generator. In embodiments, the LO signal islevel-shifted with a bias voltage to change the trigger time of thepulse generator, resulting in a phase shift of the control signal, and aphase shift of the output signal. Alternatively, the LO signal isdelayed by variable amount to change the trigger time of the pulsegenerator, resulting in a phase shift of the control signal, and a phaseshift of the output signal. Alternatively, the shape of the LO signal ischanged to vary the trigger time of the pulse generator, resulting in aphase shift in the control signal, and a phase shift in the outputsignal.

Additionally, the frequency of the LO signal substantially determinesthe frequency of the control signal. For down-conversion directly tobaseband, the LO signal frequency is preferably a sub-harmonic of the EMinput signal. For down-conversion to an IF, the frequency of the LOsignal is approximately equal to the frequency of the EM input signalplus or minus the frequency of the IF signal divided by n, where nrepresents a harmonic or sub-harmonic. For up-conversion, the frequencyof the LO signal is a sub-harmonic of the desired output signalfrequency.

Applications of universal frequency translation and phase shiftinginclude phased array antennas that utilize integrated frequencytranslation and phase shifting technology to steer the one or more mainbeams of the phased array antenna.

For example, two or more UFT modules are incorporated in a phased arrayantenna to steer an antenna beam and frequency translate an EM signalthat corresponds to the antenna beam. Assuming receive mode in a twoelement phased array antenna, a first UFT module samples a first EMsignal that is received by a first antenna element to generate a firstdown-converted signal. A second UFT module samples a second EM signalthat is received by a second antenna element to generate a seconddown-converted signal. The first EM signal is sampled according to afirst control signal and the second EM signal is sampled according to asecond control signal. The second control signal is phase shifted withrespect to the first control signal, which phase shifts the seconddown-converted signal relative to the first down-converted signal, andthereby steers the antenna beam of the phased array antenna. Inembodiments, the pulse widths of the first and second control signalsare established to improve energy transfer to the first and seconddown-converted signals. Finally, a summer combines the first and seconddown-converted signals.

Antennas radiation patterns are reciprocal so that the invention alsoapplies to an up-conversion/transmit antenna.

Further features and advantages of the invention, as well as thestructure and operation of various embodiments of the invention, aredescribed in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.The drawing in which an element first appears is typically indicated bythe leftmost character(s) and/or digit(s) in the corresponding referencenumber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention will be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a universal frequency translation (UFT)module according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B is a more detailed diagram of a universal frequency translation(UFT) module according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1C illustrates a UFT module used in a universal frequencydown-conversion (UFD) module according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 1D illustrates a UFT module used in a universal frequencyup-conversion (UFU) module according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2A is a diagram of a universal frequency translation (UFT) moduleaccording to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2B is a diagram of a universal frequency translation (UFT) moduleaccording to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a universal frequency up-conversion (UFU)module according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a more detailed diagram of a universal frequency up-conversion(UFU) module according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a universal frequency up-conversion (UFU)module according to an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 6A-6I illustrate example waveforms used to describe the operationof the UFU module;

FIG. 7 illustrates a UFT module used in a receiver according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a UFT module used in a transmitter according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates an environment comprising a transmitter and areceiver, each of which may be implemented using a UFT module of theinvention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a transceiver according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a transceiver according to an alternative embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates an environment comprising a transmitter and areceiver, each of which may be implemented using enhanced signalreception (ESR) components of the invention;

FIG. 13 illustrates a UFT module used in a unified down-conversion andfiltering (UDF) module according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 illustrates an example receiver implemented using a UDF moduleaccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 15A-15F illustrate example applications of the UDF moduleaccording to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 16 illustrates an environment comprising a transmitter and areceiver, each of which may be implemented using enhanced signalreception (ESR) components of the invention, wherein the receiver may befurther implemented using one or more UFD modules of the invention;

FIG. 17 illustrates a unified down-converting and filtering (UDF) moduleaccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 18 is a table of example values at nodes in the UDF module of FIG.19;

FIG. 19 is a detailed diagram of an example UDF module according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 20A and 20A-1 are example aliasing modules according toembodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 20B-20F are example waveforms used to describe the operation ofthe aliasing modules of FIGS. 20A and 20A-1;

FIG. 21 illustrates an enhanced signal reception system according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 22A-22F are example waveforms used to describe the system of FIG.21;

FIG. 23A illustrates an example transmitter in an enhanced signalreception system according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 23B and 23C are example waveforms used to further describe theenhanced signal reception system according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 23D illustrates another example transmitter in an enhanced signalreception system according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 23E and 23F are example waveforms used to further describe theenhanced signal reception system according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 24A illustrates an example receiver in an enhanced signal receptionsystem according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 24B-24J are example waveforms and spectra used to further describethe enhanced signal reception system according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIGS. 25A-C illustrate conceptual representations of the inventionincluding frequency translation and phase shifting according toembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 25D illustrates a flowchart 2500 according to embodiments of theinvention;

FIGS. 25E-K illustrate various signal diagrams according to embodimentsof the invention;

FIG. 26A illustrates a frequency translator/phase-shifter using variablebias voltage to implement the phase shift according to embodiments ofthe invention;

FIG. 26B illustrates a flowchart 2650 according to embodiments of theinvention;

FIGS. 27A-F illustrate various biased LO signals and corresponding phaseshifted control signals according to embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 28A-28B illustrate various biased LO signal signals compared tothe RF input signal;

FIG. 29 illustrates the phase (or phase shift) at which the RF inputsignal is sampled vs ramp bias voltage, according to embodiments of theinvention;

FIGS. 30A-30D illustrate the phase at which an RF signal is sampled vs.bias voltage for various LO signal amplitudes according to embodimentsof the invention;

FIGS. 31A-C illustrate a down-converter/phase shifter having a variableLO bias to control the phase shift according to embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 32A-C illustrates an up-converter/phase-shifter having a variableLO bias to control the phase shift according to embodiments of theinvention;

FIGS. 33A-D illustrate a frequency translator/phase-shifter usingvariable LO signal delay to implement the phase shift according toembodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 34A-B illustrate a down-converter/phase-shifter using a variableLO delay according to embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 35A-C illustrate a up-converter/phase-shifter using a variable LOdelay according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 36 illustrates a frequency translator/phase-shifter using a shapechanger to implement the phase shift according to embodiments of theinvention;

FIG. 37 illustrates a down-converter/phase shifter using a shape changerto implement the phase shift according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 38 illustrates an up-converter/phase shifter using a shape changerto implement the phase shift according to embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 39-40 illustrate frequency translator/phase-shifters where the LOsignal directly controls the UFT module according to embodiments of theinvention;

FIGS. 41-43 illustrate various phased array antennas;

FIGS. 44A-B illustrate the effect of RF phase shifting on the beam of aphased array antenna;

FIG. 45A illustrates a half-wave dipole;

FIG. 45B illustrates an E-plane element factor for a half-wave dipole;

FIG. 46 illustrates an N-element linear antenna array;

FIG. 47 illustrates an N×M array antenna;

FIG. 48 illustrates a linear array of five half-wave dipoles;

FIG. 49A illustrates the array factor for a linear array;

FIG. 49B illustrates the radiation pattern for a linear array;

FIG. 50A illustrates an array factor for a uniform amplitude currentdistribution;

FIG. 50B illustrates an array factor for a raised cosine amplitudecurrent distribution;

FIG. 51A illustrates an array factor for a uniform phase currentdistribution;

FIG. 51B illustrates an array factor for a progressive phase currentdistribution;

FIG. 52 illustrates an embodiment of a phase shifter according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 53 illustrates the output of a phase shifting circuit according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 54 illustrates the operating parameters of an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 55 illustrates an example circuit according to an embodiment of thepresent invention that can be used to the operating characteristics ofthe present invention;

FIG. 56 illustrates the output of a circuit according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIGS. 57A-C and 58A-C illustrate the curve fitting used to derive theequations that describe phase characterization of a UFT module accordingto embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 59 illustrates a phased array antenna embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 60 illustrates an antenna circuit according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 61A-B illustrate the output of an antenna circuit according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 62 illustrates a linear array according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 63A-B illustrate the output of a linear array according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 64 illustrates a two dimensional linear array according toembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 65A-B illustrate various 2-D phased array antennas with differencefeed structures according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 66A-B illustrate the output of a 2-D phased array antenna accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 67A-B illustrate various antenna circuits according to embodimentsof the present invention;

FIG. 67C illustrates receive antenna 6722 having pulse generators 6724to control the UFT modules 6706 an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 67D illustrates transmit antenna 6726 having pulse generators 6724to control the UFT modules 6706 an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 68A-B illustrate antenna circuits that can be used for bothtransmit and receive, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 68C illustrates an exemplary digital control device, according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 69 illustrates the output of an antenna circuit with the main beamsteered off boresight, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 70-71 illustrate antenna circuits that are capable of producinglinear and circular polarization, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 72 illustrates an elliptically polarized wave;

FIG. 73 illustrates an antenna circuit that can generate linear orelliptical polarization, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 74 illustrates a phased array antenna system with adaptive beamforming, according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 75 illustrates a response curve for antenna system 7400 in FIG. 74,according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 76 illustrates a phased array antenna with adaptive beam forming,according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 77 illustrates a phased array antenna system 7700 that can generatemultiple antenna beams, according to embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 78A illustrates a phase shifter 7800 according to embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIGS. 78B-D illustrate various signal diagrams associated with phaseshifter 7800, according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 79 illustrates a phase shifter 7904 that utilizes multiple sources,according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 80A-B illustrate a cell phone application of an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 81-86 illustrate cellular phone applications that utilize anelectrically steerable antenna beam, according to embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 87A-B illustrate a multiple beam antenna embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 88 illustrates a multiple beam antenna embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 89 illustrates a collision avoidance system according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 90A-B illustrate an array antenna according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIGS. 91A-D illustrate the output of an antenna embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 92A-D illustrate example implementations of a switch moduleaccording to embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 93A-D illustrate example pulse generators;

FIG. 93E illustrates an oscillator according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 94 illustrates an energy transfer system with an optional energytransfer signal module according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 95 illustrates an aliasing module with input and output impedancematch according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 96A illustrates an example pulse generator;

FIGS. 96B and C illustrate example waveforms related to the pulsegenerator of FIG. 96A;

FIG. 97 illustrates an example energy transfer module with a switchmodule and a reactive storage module according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIGS. 98A-B illustrate example energy transfer systems according toembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 99A illustrates an example energy transfer signal module accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 99B illustrates a flowchart of state machine operation according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 99C is an example energy transfer signal module;

FIG. 100 is a schematic diagram of a circuit to down-convert a 915 MHZsignal to a 5 MHZ signal using a 101.1 MHZ clock according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 101 shows simulation waveforms for the circuit of FIG. 100according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 102 is a schematic diagram of a circuit to down-convert a 915 MHZsignal to a 5 MHZ signal using a 101 MHZ clock according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 103 shows simulation waveforms for the circuit of FIG. 102according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 104 is a schematic diagram of a circuit to down-convert a 915 MHZsignal to a 5 MHZ signal using a 101.1 MHZ clock according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 105 shows simulation waveforms for the circuit of FIG. 104according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 106 shows a schematic of the circuit in FIG. 100 connected to anFSK source that alternates between 913 and 917 MHZ at a baud rate of 500Kbaud according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 107A illustrates an example energy transfer system according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 107B-C illustrate example timing diagrams for the example systemof FIG. 94A;

FIG. 108 illustrates an example bypass network according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 109 illustrates an example bypass network according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 110 illustrates an example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 111A illustrates an example real time aperture control circuitaccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 111B illustrates a timing diagram of an example clock signal forreal time aperture control, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 111C illustrates a timing diagram of an example optional enablesignal for real time aperture control, according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 111D illustrates a timing diagram of an inverted clock signal forreal time aperture control, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 111E illustrates a timing diagram of an example delayed clocksignal for real time aperture control, according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 111F illustrates a timing diagram of an example energy transferincluding pulses having apertures that are controlled in real time,according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 112 illustrates an example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 113 illustrates an example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 114 illustrates an example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 115 illustrates an example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 116A is a timing diagram for the example embodiment of FIG. 112;

FIG. 116B is a timing diagram for the example embodiment of FIG. 113;

FIG. 117A is a timing diagram for the example embodiment of FIG. 114;

FIG. 117B is a timing diagram for the example embodiment of FIG. 115;

FIG. 118A illustrates and example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 118B illustrates equations for determining charge transfer, inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 118C illustrates relationships between capacitor charging andaperture, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 118D illustrates relationships between capacitor charging andaperture, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 118E illustrates power-charge relationship equations, in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 118F illustrates insertion loss equations, in accordance with thepresent invention; and

FIG. 119 illustrates a computer controlled phase shifter according toembodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Table of Contents 1.Universal Frequency Translation 2. Frequency Down-conversion

2.1 Optional Energy Transfer Signal Module

2.2 Smoothing the Down-Converted Signal

2.3 Impedance Matching

2.4 Tanks and Resonant Structures

2.5 Charge and Power Transfer Concepts

2.6 Optimizing and Adjusting the Non-Negligible Aperture Width

-   -   2.6.1 Varying Input and Output Impedances    -   2.6.2 Real Time Aperture Control

2.7 Adding a Bypass Network

2.8 Modifying the Energy Transfer Signal Utilizing Feedback

2.9 Other Implementations

2.10. Example Energy Transfer Down-Converters

3. Frequency Up-conversion 4. Enhanced Signal Reception 5. UnifiedDown-conversion and Filtering 6. Example Application Embodiments of theInvention 7. Specific Phase Shifter Embodiments Using UniversalFrequency Translation

7.1 High Level Description

7.2 Specific Phase Shifting Embodiments

-   -   7.2.1 Changing a Bias Voltage of the LO Signal        -   7.2.1.1 Down-Conversion        -   7.2.1.2 Up-Conversion    -   7.2.2 Changing the Delay of the LO Signal        -   7.2.2.1 Down-Conversion        -   7.2.2.2 Up-Conversion        -   7.2.2.3 Dual Feed Structure    -   7.2.3 Changing the Shape of the LO Signal        -   7.2.3.1 Down-Conversion        -   7.2.3.2 Up-Conversion    -   7.2.4 Phase Shifting Without Using a Pulse Generator

7.3 Antenna Applications of Universal Frequency Translation

-   -   7.3.1 Overview of Adaptive Beam Forming    -   7.3.2 UFT Module Transmission Phase Characteristics    -   7.3.3. Two-Element Antenna Design Example using UFT modules as        Phase Shifters    -   7.3.4 Phased Array Embodiments including 2-D Antenna Arrays    -   7.3.5 Generating Elliptical and Circular Polarization Using UFT        Modules    -   7.3.6 Intelligent Adaptive Beam Forming using UFT Modules    -   7.3.7 Example Antenna Applications of the Present Invention

8. Conclusion 1.0 UNIVERSAL FREQUENCY TRANSLATION

The present invention is related to frequency translation, andapplications of same. Such applications include, but are not limited to,frequency down-conversion, frequency up-conversion, enhanced signalreception, unified down-conversion and filtering, and combinations andapplications of same.

FIG. 1A illustrates a universal frequency translation (UFT) module 102according to embodiments of the invention. (The UFT module is alsosometimes called a universal frequency translator, or a universaltranslator.)

As indicated by the example of FIG. 1A, some embodiments of the UFTmodule 102 include three ports (nodes), designated in FIG. 1A as Port 1,Port 2, and Port 3. Other UFT embodiments include other than threeports.

Generally, the UFT module 102 (perhaps in combination with othercomponents) operates to generate an output signal from an input signal,where the frequency of the output signal differs from the frequency ofthe input signal. In other words, the UFT module 102 (and perhaps othercomponents) operates to generate the output signal from the input signalby translating the frequency (and perhaps other characteristics) of theinput signal to the frequency (and perhaps other characteristics) of theoutput signal.

An example embodiment of the UFT module 103 is generally illustrated inFIG. 1B. Generally, the UFT module 103 includes a switch 106 controlledby a control signal 108. The switch 106 is said to be a controlledswitch.

As noted above, some UFT embodiments include other than three ports. Forexample, and without limitation, FIG. 2A illustrates an example UFTmodule 202. The example UFT module 202 includes a diode 204 having twoports, designated as Port 1 and Port 2/3. This embodiment does notinclude a third port, as indicated by the dotted line around the “Port3” label. FIG. 2B illustrates a second example UFT module 208 having aFET 210 whose gate is controlled by the control signal.

The UFT module is a very powerful and flexible device. Its flexibilityis illustrated, in part, by the wide range of applications in which itcan be used. Its power is illustrated, in part, by the usefulness andperformance of such applications.

For example, a UFT module 115 can be used in a universal frequencydown-conversion (UFD) module 114, an example of which is shown in FIG.1C. In this capacity, the UFT module 115 frequency down-converts aninput signal to an output signal.

As another example, as shown in FIG. 1D, a UFT module 117 can be used ina universal frequency up-conversion (UFU) module 116. In this capacity,the UFT module 117 frequency up-converts an input signal to an outputsignal.

These and other applications of the UFT module are described below.Additional applications of the UFT module will be apparent to personsskilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein.In some applications, the UFT module is a required component. In otherapplications, the UFT module is an optional component.

2.0 FREQUENCY DOWN-CONVERSION

The present invention is directed to systems and methods of universalfrequency down-conversion, and applications of same.

In particular, the following discussion describes down-converting usinga Universal Frequency Translation Module. The down-conversion of an EMsignal by aliasing the EM signal at an aliasing rate is fully describedin U.S. patent application entitled “Method and System forDown-Converting Electromagnetic Signals,” Ser. No. 09/176,022, filedOct. 21, 1998, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,551 on May 10, 2000, thefull disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. A relevantportion of the above mentioned patent application is summarized below todescribe down-converting an input signal to produce a down-convertedsignal that exists at a lower frequency or a baseband signal.

FIG. 20A illustrates an aliasing module 2000 (one embodiment of a UFDmodule) for down-conversion using a universal frequency translation(UFT) module 2002, which down-converts an EM input signal 2004. Inparticular embodiments, aliasing module 2000 includes a switch 2008 anda capacitor 2010. The electronic alignment of the circuit components isflexible. That is, in one implementation, the switch 2008 is in serieswith input signal 2004 and capacitor 2010 is shunted to ground (althoughit may be other than ground in configurations such as differentialmode). In a second implementation (see FIG. 20A-1), the capacitor 2010is in series with the input signal 2004 and the switch 2008 is shuntedto ground (although it may be other than ground in configurations suchas differential mode). Aliasing module 2000 with UFT module 2002 can beeasily tailored to down-convert a wide variety of electromagneticsignals using aliasing frequencies that are well below the frequenciesof the EM input signal 2004.

In one implementation, aliasing module 2000 down-converts the inputsignal 2004 to an intermediate frequency (IF) signal. In anotherimplementation, the aliasing module 2000 down-converts the input signal2004 to a demodulated baseband signal. In yet another implementation,the input signal 2004 is a frequency modulated (FM) signal, and thealiasing module 2000 down-converts it to a non-FM signal, such as aphase modulated (PM) signal or an amplitude modulated (AM) signal. Eachof the above implementations is described below.

In an embodiment, the control signal 2006 includes a train of pulsesthat repeat at an aliasing rate that is equal to, or less than, twicethe frequency of the input signal 2004. In this embodiment, the controlsignal 2006 is referred to herein as an aliasing signal because it isbelow the Nyquist rate for the frequency of the input signal 2004.Preferably, the frequency of control signal 2006 is much less than theinput signal 2004.

A train of pulses 2018 as shown in FIG. 20D controls the switch 2008 toalias the input signal 2004 with the control signal 2006 to generate adown-converted output signal 2012. More specifically, in an embodiment,switch 2008 closes on a first edge of each pulse 2020 of FIG. 20D andopens on a second edge of each pulse. When the switch 2008 is closed,the input signal 2004 is coupled to the capacitor 2010, and charge istransferred from the input signal to the capacitor 2010. The chargestored during successive pulses forms down-converted output signal 2012.

Exemplary waveforms are shown in FIGS. 20B-20F.

FIG. 20B illustrates an analog amplitude modulated (AM) carrier signal2014 that is an example of input signal 2004. For illustrative purposes,in FIG. 20C, an analog AM carrier signal portion 2016 illustrates aportion of the analog AM carrier signal 2014 on an expanded time scale.The analog AM carrier signal portion 2016 illustrates the analog AMcarrier signal 2014 from time t₀ time t₁.

FIG. 20D illustrates an exemplary aliasing signal 2018 that is anexample of control signal 2006. Aliasing signal 2018 is on approximatelythe same time scale as the analog AM carrier signal portion 2016. In theexample shown in FIG. 20D, the aliasing signal 2018 includes a train ofpulses 2020 having negligible apertures that tend towards zero (theinvention is not limited to this embodiment, as discussed below). Thepulse aperture may also be referred to as the pulse width as will beunderstood by those skilled in the art(s). The pulses 2020 repeat at analiasing rate, or pulse repetition rate of aliasing signal 2018. Thealiasing rate is determined as described below, and further described inthe U.S. patent application entitled “Method and System forDown-converting Electromagnetic Signals,” Ser. No. 09/176,022, filedOct. 21, 1998, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,551 on May 10, 2000.

As noted above, the train of pulses 2020 (i.e., control signal 2006)control the switch 2008 to alias the analog AM carrier signal 2016(i.e., input signal 2004) at the aliasing rate of the aliasing signal2018. Specifically, in this embodiment, the switch 2008 closes on afirst edge of each pulse and opens on a second edge of each pulse. Whenthe switch 2008 is closed, input signal 2004 is coupled to the capacitor2010, and charge is transferred from the input signal 2004 to thecapacitor 2010. The charge transferred during a pulse is referred toherein as an under-sample. Exemplary under-samples 2022 formdown-converted signal portion 2024 (FIG. 20E) that corresponds to theanalog AM carrier signal portion 2016 (FIG. 20C) and the train of pulses2020 (FIG. 20D). The charge stored during successive under-samples of AMcarrier signal 2014 form the down-converted signal 2024 (FIG. 20E) thatis an example of down-converted output signal 2012 (FIG. 20A). In FIG.20F, a demodulated baseband signal 2026 represents the demodulatedbaseband signal 2024 after filtering on a compressed time scale. Asillustrated, down-converted signal 2026 has substantially the same“amplitude envelope” as AM carrier signal 2014. Therefore, FIGS. 20B-20Fillustrate down-conversion of AM carrier signal 2014.

The waveforms shown in FIGS. 20B-20F are discussed herein forillustrative purposes only, and are not limiting. Additional exemplarytime domain and frequency domain drawings, and exemplary methods andsystems of the invention relating thereto, are disclosed in U.S. patentapplication entitled “Method and System for Down-convertingElectromagnetic Signals,” Ser. No. 09/176,022, filed Oct. 21, 1998,issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,551 on May 10, 2000.

The aliasing rate of control signal 2006 determines whether the inputsignal 2004 is down-converted to an IF signal, down-converted to ademodulated baseband signal, or down-converted from an FM signal to a PMor an AM signal. Generally, relationships between the input signal 2004,the aliasing rate of the control signal 2006, and the down-convertedoutput signal 2012 are illustrated below:

(Freq. of input signal 2004)=n·(Freq. of control signal 2006)±(Freq. ofdown-converted output signal 2012)

For the examples contained herein, only the “+” condition will bediscussed. The value of n represents a harmonic or sub-harmonic of inputsignal 2004 (e.g., n=0.5, 1, 2, 3, . . . ).

When the aliasing rate of control signal 2006 is off-set from thefrequency of input signal 2004, or off-set from a harmonic orsub-harmonic thereof, input signal 2004 is down-converted to an IFsignal. This is because the under-sampling pulses occur at differentphases of subsequent cycles of input signal 2004. As a result, theunder-samples form a lower frequency oscillating pattern. If the inputsignal 2004 includes lower frequency changes, such as amplitude,frequency, phase, etc., or any combination thereof, the charge storedduring associated under-samples reflects the lower frequency changes,resulting in similar changes on the down-converted IF signal. Forexample, to down-convert a 901 MHZ input signal to a 1 MHZ IF signal,the frequency of the control signal 2006 would be calculated as follows:

(Freq_(input)−Freq_(IF))/n=Freq _(control)

(901 MHZ−1 MHZ)/n=900/n

For n=0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc., the frequency of the control signal 2006would be substantially equal to 1.8 GHz, 900 MHZ, 450 MHZ, 300 MHZ, 225MHZ, etc.

Exemplary time domain and frequency domain drawings, illustratingdown-conversion of analog and digital AM, PM and FM signals to IFsignals, and exemplary methods and systems thereof, are disclosed inU.S. patent application entitled “Method and System for Down-convertingElectromagnetic Signals,” Ser. No. 09/176,022, filed Oct. 21, 1998,issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,551 on May 10, 2000.

Alternatively, when the aliasing rate of the control signal 2006 issubstantially equal to the frequency of the input signal 2004, orsubstantially equal to a harmonic or sub-harmonic thereof, input signal2004 is directly down-converted to a demodulated baseband signal. Thisis because, without modulation, the under-sampling pulses occur at thesame point of subsequent cycles of the input signal 2004. As a result,the under-samples form a constant output baseband signal. If the inputsignal 2004 includes lower frequency changes, such as amplitude,frequency, phase, etc., or any combination thereof, the charge storedduring associated under-samples reflects the lower frequency changes,resulting in similar changes on the demodulated baseband signal. Forexample, to directly down-convert a 900 MHZ input signal to ademodulated baseband signal (i.e., zero IF), the frequency of thecontrol signal 2006 would be calculated as follows:

(Freq_(input)−Freq_(IF))/n=Freq _(control)

(900 MHZ−0 MHZ)/n=900 MHZ/n

For n=0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc., the frequency of the control signal 2006should be substantially equal to 1.8 GHz, 900 MHZ, 450 MHZ, 300 MHZ, 225MHZ, etc.

Exemplary time domain and frequency domain drawings, illustrating directdown-conversion of analog and digital AM and PM signals to demodulatedbaseband signals, and exemplary methods and systems thereof, aredisclosed in the U.S. patent application entitled “Method and System forDown-converting Electromagnetic Signals,” Ser. No. 09/176,022, filedOct. 21, 1998, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,551 on May 10, 2000.

Alternatively, to down-convert an input FM signal to a non-FM signal, afrequency within the FM bandwidth must be down-converted to baseband(i.e., zero IF). As an example, to down-convert a frequency shift keying(FSK) signal (a sub-set of FM) to a phase shift keying (PSK) signal (asubset of PM), the mid-point between a lower frequency F₁ and an upperfrequency F₂ (that is, [(F₁+F₂)÷2]) of the FSK signal is down-convertedto zero IF. For example, to down-convert an FSK signal having F₁ equalto 899 MHZ and F₂ equal to 901 MHZ, to a PSK signal, the aliasing rateof the control signal 2006 would be calculated as follows:

$\begin{matrix}{{{Frequency}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {the}\mspace{14mu} {input}} = {\left( {F_{1} + F_{2}} \right) \div 2}} \\{= {\left( {{899\mspace{14mu} {MHZ}} + {901\mspace{14mu} {MHZ}}} \right) \div 2}} \\{= {900\mspace{14mu} {MHZ}}}\end{matrix}$

Frequency of the down-converted signal=0 (i.e., baseband)

(Freq_(input)−Freq_(IF))/n=Freq_(control)

(900 MHZ−0 MHZ)/n=900 MHZ/n

For n=0.5, 1, 2, 3, etc., the frequency of the control signal 2006should be substantially equal to 1.8 GHz, 900 MHZ, 450 MHZ, 300 MHZ, 225MHZ, etc. The frequency of the down-converted PSK signal issubstantially equal to one half the difference between the lowerfrequency F₁ and the upper frequency F₂.

As another example, to down-convert a FSK signal to an amplitude shiftkeying (ASK) signal (a subset of AM), either the lower frequency F₁ orthe upper frequency F₂ of the FSK signal is down-converted to zero IF.For example, to down-convert an FSK signal having F₁ equal to 900 MHZand F₂ equal to 901 MHZ, to an ASK signal, the aliasing rate of thecontrol signal 2006 should be substantially equal to:

(900 MHZ−0 MHZ)/n=900 MHZ/n, or

(901 MHZ−0 MHZ)/n=901 MHZ/n.

For the former case of 900 MHZ/n, and for n=0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc., thefrequency of the control signal 2006 should be substantially equal to1.8 GHz, 900 MHZ, 450 MHZ, 300 MHZ, 225 MHZ, etc. For the latter case of901 MHZ/n, and for n=0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc., the frequency of the controlsignal 2006 should be substantially equal to 1.802 GHz, 901 MHZ, 450.5MHZ, 300.333 MHZ, 225.25 MHZ, etc. The frequency of the down-convertedAM signal is substantially equal to the difference between the lowerfrequency F₁ and the upper frequency F₂ (i.e., 1 MHZ).

Exemplary time domain and frequency domain drawings, illustratingdown-conversion of FM signals to non-FM signals, and exemplary methodsand systems thereof, are disclosed in the U.S. patent applicationentitled “Method and System for Down-converting ElectromagneticSignals,” Ser. No. 09/176,022, filed Oct. 21, 1998, issued as U.S. Pat.No. 6,061,551 on May 10, 2000.

In an embodiment, the pulses of the control signal 2006 have negligibleapertures that tend towards zero. This makes the UFT module 2002 a highinput impedance device. This configuration is useful for situationswhere minimal disturbance of the input signal may be desired.

In another embodiment, the pulses of the control signal 2006 havenon-negligible apertures that tend away from zero. This makes the UFTmodule 2002 a lower input impedance device. This allows the lower inputimpedance of the UFT module 2002 to be substantially matched with asource impedance of the input signal 2004. This also improves the energytransfer from the input signal 2004 to the down-converted output signal2012, and hence the efficiency and signal to noise (s/n) ratio of UFTmodule 2002.

Exemplary systems and methods for generating and optimizing the controlsignal 2006, and for otherwise improving energy transfer and s/n ratio,are disclosed in the U.S. patent application entitled “Method and Systemfor Down-converting Electromagnetic Signals,” Ser. No. 09/176,022, filedOct. 21, 1998, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,551 on May 10, 2000.

When the pulses of the control signal 2006 have non-negligibleapertures, the aliasing module 2000 is referred to interchangeablyherein as an energy transfer module or a gated transfer module, and thecontrol signal 2006 is referred to as an energy transfer signal.Exemplary systems and methods for generating and optimizing the controlsignal 2006 and for otherwise improving energy transfer and/or signal tonoise ratio in an energy transfer module are described below.

2.1 Optional Energy Transfer Signal Module

FIG. 94 illustrates an energy transfer system 9401 that includes anoptional energy transfer signal module 9402, which can perform any of avariety of functions or combinations of functions including, but notlimited to, generating the energy transfer signal 9405.

In an embodiment, the optional energy transfer signal module 9402includes an aperture generator, an example of which is illustrated inFIG. 93C as an aperture generator 9320. The aperture generator 9320generates non-negligible aperture pulses 9326 from an input signal 9324.The input signal 9324 can be any type of periodic signal, including, butnot limited to, a sinusoid, a square wave, a saw-tooth wave, etc.Systems for generating the input signal 9324 are described below.

The width or aperture of the pulses 9326 is determined by delay throughthe branch 9322 of the aperture generator 9320. Generally, as thedesired pulse width increases, the difficulty in meeting therequirements of the aperture generator 9320 decrease. In other words, togenerate non-negligible aperture pulses for a given EM input frequency,the components utilized in the example aperture generator 9320 do notrequire as fast reaction times as those that are required in anunder-sampling system operating with the same EM input frequency.

The example logic and implementation shown in the aperture generator9320 are provided for illustrative purposes only, and are not limiting.The actual logic employed can take many forms. The example aperturegenerator 9320 includes an optional inverter 9328, which is shown forpolarity consistency with other examples provided herein.

An example implementation of the aperture generator 9320 is illustratedin FIG. 93D. Additional examples of aperture generation logic areprovided in FIGS. 93A and 93B. FIG. 93A illustrates a rising edge pulsegenerator 9340, which generates pulses 9326 on rising edges of the inputsignal 9324. FIG. 93B illustrates a falling edge pulse generator 9350,which generates pulses 9326 on falling edges of the input signal 9324.

In an embodiment, the input signal 9324 is generated externally of theenergy transfer signal module 9402, as illustrated in FIG. 94.Alternatively, the input signal 9324 is generated internally by theenergy transfer signal module 9402. The input signal 9324 can begenerated by an oscillator, as illustrated in FIG. 93E by an oscillator9330. The oscillator 9330 can be internal to the energy transfer signalmodule 9402 or external to the energy transfer signal module 9402. Theoscillator 9330 can be external to the energy transfer system 9401. Theoutput of the oscillator 9330 may be any periodic waveform.

The type of down-conversion performed by the energy transfer system 9401depends upon the aliasing rate of the energy transfer signal 9405, whichis determined by the frequency of the pulses 9326. The frequency of thepulses 9326 is determined by the frequency of the input signal 9324. Forexample, when the frequency of the input signal 9324 is substantiallyequal to a harmonic or a sub-harmonic of the EM signal 9408, the EMsignal 9408 is directly down-converted to baseband (e.g. when the EMsignal is an AM signal or a PM signal), or converted from FM to a non-FMsignal. When the frequency of the input signal 9324 is substantiallyequal to a harmonic or a sub-harmonic of a difference frequency, the EMsignal 9408 is down-converted to an intermediate signal.

The optional energy transfer signal module 9402 can be implemented inhardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof.

2.2. Smoothing the Down-Converted Signal

Referring back to FIG. 20A, the down-converted output signal 2012 may besmoothed by filtering as desired.

2.3. Impedance Matching

The energy transfer module 2000 has input and output impedancesgenerally defined by (1) the duty cycle of the switch module (i.e., UFT2002), and (2) the impedance of the storage module (e.g., capacitor2010), at the frequencies of interest (e.g. at the EM input, andintermediate/baseband frequencies).

Starting with an aperture width of approximately ½ the period of the EMsignal being down-converted as a preferred embodiment, this aperturewidth (e.g. the “closed time”) can be decreased. As the aperture widthis decreased, the characteristic impedance at the input and the outputof the energy transfer module increases. Alternatively, as the aperturewidth increases from ½ the period of the EM signal being down-converted,the impedance of the energy transfer module decreases.

One of the steps in determining the characteristic input impedance ofthe energy transfer module could be to measure its value. In anembodiment, the energy transfer module's characteristic input impedanceis 300 ohms. An impedance matching circuit can be utilized toefficiently couple an input EM signal that has a source impedance of,for example, 50 ohms, with the energy transfer module's impedance of,for example, 300 ohms. Matching these impedances can be accomplished invarious manners, including providing the necessary impedance directly orthe use of an impedance match circuit as described below.

Referring to FIG. 95, a specific embodiment using an RF signal as aninput, assuming that the impedance 9512 is a relatively low impedance ofapproximately 50 Ohms, for example, and the input impedance 9516 isapproximately 300 Ohms, an initial configuration for the input impedancematch module 9506 can include an inductor 9706 and a capacitor 9708,configured as shown in FIG. 97. The configuration of the inductor 9706and the capacitor 9708 is a possible configuration when going from a lowimpedance to a high impedance. Inductor 9706 and the capacitor 9708constitute an L match, the calculation of the values which is well knownto those skilled in the relevant arts.

The output characteristic impedance can be impedance matched to takeinto consideration the desired output frequencies. One of the steps indetermining the characteristic output impedance of the energy transfermodule could be to measure its value. Balancing the very low impedanceof the storage module at the input EM frequency, the storage moduleshould have an impedance at the desired output frequencies that ispreferably greater than or equal to the load that is intended to bedriven (for example, in an embodiment, storage module impedance at adesired 1 MHz output frequency is 2K ohm and the desired load to bedriven is 50 ohms). An additional benefit of impedance matching is thatfiltering of unwanted signals can also be accomplished with the samecomponents.

In an embodiment, the energy transfer module's characteristic outputimpedance is 2K ohms. An impedance matching circuit can be utilized toefficiently couple the down-converted signal with an output impedanceof, for example, 2K ohms, to a load of, for example, 50 ohms. Matchingthese impedances can be accomplished in various manners, includingproviding the necessary load impedance directly or the use of animpedance match circuit as described below.

When matching from a high impedance to a low impedance, a capacitor 9714and an inductor 9716 can be configured for the output impedance match9508, as shown in FIG. 97. The capacitor 9714 and the inductor 9716constitute an L match, the calculation of the component values beingwell known to those skilled in the relevant arts.

The configuration of the input impedance match module 9506 and theoutput impedance match module 9508 are considered to be initial startingpoints for impedance matching, in accordance with the present invention.In some situations, the initial designs may be suitable without furtheroptimization. In other situations, the initial designs can be optimizedin accordance with other various design criteria and considerations.

As other optional optimizing structures and/or components are utilized,their affect on the characteristic impedance of the energy transfermodule should be taken into account in the match along with their ownoriginal criteria.

2.4 Tanks and Resonant Structures

Resonant tank and other resonant structures can be used to furtheroptimize the energy transfer characteristics of the invention. Forexample, resonant structures, resonant about the input frequency, can beused to store energy from the input signal when the switch is open, aperiod during which one may conclude that the architecture wouldotherwise be limited in its maximum possible efficiency. Resonant tankand other resonant structures can include, but are not limited to,surface acoustic wave (SAW) filters, dielectric resonators, diplexers,capacitors, inductors, etc.

An example embodiment is shown in FIG. 107A. Two additional embodimentsare shown in FIG. 112 and FIG. 110. Alternate implementations will beapparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on theteachings contained herein. Alternate implementations fall within thescope and spirit of the present invention. These implementations takeadvantage of properties of series and parallel (tank) resonant circuits.

FIG. 107A illustrates parallel tank circuits in a differentialimplementation. A first parallel resonant or tank circuit consists of acapacitor 10738 and an inductor 10720 (tank1). A second tank circuitconsists of a capacitor 10734 and an inductor 10736 (tank2).

As is apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s), parallel tankcircuits provide:

low impedance to frequencies below resonance;

low impedance to frequencies above resonance; and

high impedance to frequencies at and near resonance.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 107A, the first and second tankcircuits resonate at approximately 920 Mhz. At and near resonance, theimpedance of these circuits is relatively high. Therefore, in thecircuit configuration shown in FIG. 107A, both tank circuits appear asrelatively high impedance to the input frequency of 950 MHZ, whilesimultaneously appearing as relatively low impedance to frequencies inthe desired output range of 50 Mhz.

An energy transfer signal 10742 controls a switch 10714. When the energytransfer signal 10742 controls the switch 10714 to open and close, highfrequency signal components are not allowed to pass through tank1 ortank2. However, the lower signal components (50 Mhz in this embodiment)generated by the system are allowed to pass through tank1 and tank2 withlittle attenuation. The effect of tank1 and tank2 is to further separatethe input and output signals from the same node thereby producing a morestable input and output impedance. Capacitors 10718 and 10740 act tostore the 50 MHZ output signal energy between energy transfer pulses.

Further energy transfer optimization is provided by placing an inductor10710 in series with a storage capacitor 10712 as shown. In theillustrated example, the series resonant frequency of this circuitarrangement is approximately 1 GHz. This circuit increases the energytransfer characteristic of the system. The ratio of the impedance ofinductor 10710 and the impedance of the storage capacitor 10712 ispreferably kept relatively small so that the majority of the energyavailable will be transferred to storage capacitor 10712 duringoperation. Exemplary output signals A and B are illustrated in FIGS.107B and 107C, respectively.

In FIG. 107A, circuit components 10704 and 10706 form an input impedancematch. Circuit components 10732 and 10730 form an output impedance matchinto a 50 ohm resistor 10728. Circuit components 10722 and 10724 form asecond output impedance match into a 50 ohm resistor 10726. Capacitors10708 and 10712 act as storage capacitors for the embodiment. Voltagesource 10746 and resistor 10702 generate a 950 MHZ signal with a 50 ohmoutput impedance, which are used as the input to the circuit. Circuitelement 10716 includes a 150 MHZ oscillator and a pulse generator, whichare used to generate the energy transfer signal 10742.

FIG. 102 illustrates a shunt tank circuit 10210 in a single-endedto-single-ended system 10212. Similarly, FIG. 110 illustrates a shunttank circuit 11010 in a system 11012. The tank circuits 10210 and 11010lower driving source impedance, which improves transient response. Thetank circuits 10210 and 11010 are able store the energy from the inputsignal and provide a low driving source impedance to transfer thatenergy throughout the aperture of the closed switch. The transientnature of the switch aperture can be viewed as having a response that,in addition to including the input frequency, has large componentfrequencies above the input frequency, (i.e. higher frequencies than theinput frequency are also able to effectively pass through the aperture).Resonant circuits or structures, for example resonant tanks 10210 or11010, can take advantage of this by being able to transfer energythroughout the switch's transient frequency response (i.e. the capacitorin the resonant tank appears as a low driving source impedance duringthe transient period of the aperture).

The example tank and resonant structures described above are forillustrative purposes and are not limiting. Alternate configurations canbe utilized. The various resonant tanks and structures discussed can becombined or utilized independently as is now apparent.

2.5 Charge and Power Transfer Concepts

Concepts of charge transfer are now described with reference to FIGS.118A-F. FIG. 118A illustrates a circuit 11802, including a switch S anda capacitor 11806 having a capacitance C. The switch S is controlled bya control signal 11808, which includes pulses 11810 having apertures T.

In FIG. 118B, Equation A illustrates that the charge q on a capacitorhaving a capacitance C, such as the capacitor 11806, is proportional tothe voltage V across the capacitor, where:

q=Charge in Coulombs

C=Capacitance in Farads

V=Voltage in Volts

A=Input Signal Amplitude

Where the voltage V is represented by Equation B, Equation A can berewritten as Equation C. The change in charge Δq over time t isillustrated as in Equation D as Δq(t), which can be rewritten asEquation E. Using the sum-to-product trigonometric identity of EquationF, Equation E can be rewritten as Equation G, which can be rewritten asequation H.

Note that the sin term in Equation B is a function of the aperture Tonly. Thus, Δq(t) is at a maximum when T is equal to an odd multiple ofπ (i.e., π, 3π, 5π, . . . ). Therefore, the capacitor 10906 experiencesthe greatest change in charge when the aperture T has a value of π or atime interval representative of 180 degrees of the input sinusoid.Conversely, when T is equal to 2π, 4π, 6π, . . . , minimal charge istransferred.

Equations I, J, and K solve for q(t) by integrating Equation A, allowingthe charge on the capacitor 11806 with respect to time to be graphed onthe same axis as the input sinusoid sin(t), as illustrated in the graphof FIG. 118C. As the aperture T decreases in value or tends toward animpulse, the phase between the charge on the capacitor C or q(t) andsin(t) tend toward zero. This is illustrated in the graph of FIG. 118D,which indicates that the maximum impulse charge transfer occurs near theinput voltage maxima. As this graph indicates, considerably less chargeis transferred as the value of T decreases.

Power/charge relationships are illustrated in Equations L-Q of FIG.118E, where it is shown that power is proportional to charge, andtransferred charge is inversely proportional to insertion loss.

Concepts of insertion loss are illustrated in FIG. 118F. Generally, thenoise figure of a lossy passive device is numerically equal to thedevice insertion loss. Alternatively, the noise figure for any devicecannot be less that its insertion loss. Insertion loss can be expressedby the equations in FIG. 118F. From the above discussion, it is observedthat as the aperture T increases, more charge is transferred from theinput to the capacitor 11806, which increases power transfer from theinput to the output. It has been observed that it is not necessary toaccurately reproduce the input voltage at the output because relativemodulated amplitude and phase information is retained in the transferredpower.

2.6 Optimizing and Adjusting the Non-Negligible Aperture Width/Duration

2.6.1 Varying Input and Output Impedances

In an embodiment of the invention, the energy transfer signal (i.e.,control signal 2006 in FIG. 20A), is used to vary the input impedanceseen by the EM Signal 2004 and to vary the output impedance driving aload. An example of this embodiment is described below using a gatedtransfer module 9803 shown in FIG. 98A. The method described below isnot limited to the gated transfer module 9803.

In FIG. 98A, when switch 9806 is closed, the impedance looking intocircuit 9802 is substantially the impedance of a storage module,illustrated here as a storage capacitance 9808, in parallel with theimpedance of a load 9812. When the switch 9806 is open, the impedance atpoint 9814 approaches infinity. It follows that the average impedance atpoint 9814 can be varied from the impedance of the storage moduleillustrated in parallel with the load 9812, to the highest obtainableimpedance when switch 9806 is open, by varying the ratio of the timethat switch 9806 is open to the time switch 9806 is closed. The switch9806 is controlled by an energy transfer signal 9810. Thus the impedanceat point 9814 can be varied by controlling the aperture width of theenergy transfer signal in conjunction with the aliasing rate.

An example method of altering the energy transfer signal 9810 of FIG.98A is now described with reference to FIG. 96A, where a circuit 9602receives an input oscillating signal 9606 (FIG. 96C) and outputs a pulsetrain shown as doubler output signal 9604. The circuit 9602 can be usedto generate the energy transfer signal 9810. Example waveforms of 9604are shown on FIG. 96C.

It can be shown that by varying the delay of the signal propagated bythe inverter 9608, the width of the pulses in the doubler output signal9604 can be varied. Increasing the delay of the signal propagated byinverter 9608, increases the width of the pulses. The signal propagatedby inverter 9608 can be delayed by introducing a R/C low pass network inthe output of inverter 9608. Other means of altering the delay of thesignal propagated by inverter 9608 will be well known to those skilledin the art.

2.6.2 Real Time Aperture Control

In an embodiment, the aperture width/duration is adjusted in real time.For example, referring to the timing diagrams in FIGS. 111B-F, a clocksignal 11114 (FIG. 111B) is utilized to generate an energy transfersignal 11116 (FIG. 111F), which includes energy transfer pluses 11118,having variable apertures 11120. In an embodiment, the clock signal11114 is inverted as illustrated by inverted clock signal 11122 (FIG.111D). The clock signal 11114 is also delayed, as illustrated by delayedclock signal 11124 (FIG. 111E). The inverted clock signal 11114 and thedelayed clock signal 11124 are then ANDed together, generating an energytransfer signal 11116, which is active—energy transfer pulses 11118—whenthe delayed clock signal 11124 and the inverted clock signal 11122 areboth active. The amount of delay imparted to the delayed clock signal11124 substantially determines the width or duration of the apertures11120. By varying the delay in real time, the apertures are adjusted inreal time.

In an alternative implementation, the inverted clock signal 11122 isdelayed relative to the original clock signal 11114, and then ANDed withthe original clock signal 11114. Alternatively, the original clocksignal 11114 is delayed then inverted, and the result ANDed with theoriginal clock signal 11114.

FIG. 111A illustrates an exemplary real time aperture control system11102 that can be utilized to adjust apertures in real time. The examplereal time aperture control system 11102 includes an RC circuit 11104,which includes a voltage variable capacitor 11112 and a resistor 11126.The real time aperture control system 11102 also includes an inverter11106 and an AND gate 11108. The AND gate 11108 optionally includes anenable input 11110 for enabling/disabling the AND gate 11108. The RCcircuit 11104. The real time aperture control system 11102 optionallyincludes an amplifier 11128.

Operation of the real time aperture control circuit is described withreference to the timing diagrams of FIGS. 111B-F. The real time controlsystem 11102 receives the input clock signal 11114, which is provided toboth the inverter 11106 and to the RC circuit 11104. The inverter 11106outputs the inverted clock signal 11122 and presents it to the AND gate11108. The RC circuit 11104 delays the clock signal 11114 and outputsthe delayed clock signal 11124. The delay is determined primarily by thecapacitance of the voltage variable capacitor 11112. Generally, as thecapacitance decreases, the delay decreases.

The delayed clock signal 11124 is optionally amplified by the optionalamplifier 11128, before being presented to the AND gate 11108.Amplification is desired, for example, where the RC constant of the RCcircuit 11104 attenuates the signal below the threshold of the AND gate11108.

The AND gate 11108 ANDs the delayed clock signal 11124, the invertedclock signal 11122, and the optional Enable signal 11110, to generatethe energy transfer signal 11116. The apertures 11120 are adjusted inreal time by varying the voltage to the voltage variable capacitor11112.

In an embodiment, the apertures 11120 are controlled to optimize powertransfer. For example, in an embodiment, the apertures 11120 arecontrolled to maximize power transfer. Alternatively, the apertures11120 are controlled for variable gain control (e.g. automatic gaincontrol—AGC). In this embodiment, power transfer is reduced by reducingthe apertures 11120.

As can now be readily seen from this disclosure, many of the aperturecircuits presented, and others, can be modified as in circuitsillustrated in FIGS. 93A-E. Modification or selection of the aperturecan be done at the design level to remain a fixed value in the circuit,or in an alternative embodiment, may be dynamically adjusted tocompensate for, or address, various design goals such as receiving RFsignals with enhanced efficiency that are in distinctively differentbands of operation, e.g. RF signals at 900 MHZ and 1.8 GHz.

2.7 Adding a Bypass Network

In an embodiment of the invention, a bypass network is added to improvethe efficiency of the energy transfer module. Such a bypass network canbe viewed as a means of synthetic aperture widening. Components for abypass network are selected so that the bypass network appearssubstantially lower impedance to transients of the switch module (i.e.,frequencies greater than the received EM signal) and appears as amoderate to high impedance to the input EM signal (e.g., greater that100 Ohms at the RF frequency).

The time that the input signal is now connected to the opposite side ofthe switch module is lengthened due to the shaping caused by thisnetwork, which in simple realizations may be a capacitor or seriesresonant inductor-capacitor. A network that is series resonant above theinput frequency would be a typical implementation. This shaping improvesthe conversion efficiency of an input signal that would otherwise, ifone considered the aperture of the energy transfer signal only, berelatively low in frequency to be optimal.

For example, referring to FIG. 108 a bypass network 10802 shown in thisinstance as capacitor 10812), is shown bypassing switch module 10804. Inthis embodiment the bypass network increases the efficiency of theenergy transfer module when, for example, less than optimal aperturewidths were chosen for a given input frequency on the energy transfersignal 10806. The bypass network 10802 could be of differentconfigurations than shown in FIG. 108. Such an alternate is illustratedin FIG. 104. Similarly, FIG. 109 illustrates another example bypassnetwork 10902, including a capacitor 10904.

The following discussion will demonstrate the effects of a minimizedaperture and the benefit provided by a bypassing network. Beginning withan initial circuit having a 550 ps aperture in FIG. 112, its output isseen to be 2.8 mVpp applied to a 50 ohm load in FIG. 116A. Changing theaperture to 270 ps as shown in FIG. 113 results in a diminished outputof 2.5 Vpp applied to a 50 ohm load as shown in FIG. 116B. To compensatefor this loss, a bypass network may be added, a specific implementationis provided in FIG. 114. The result of this addition is that 3.2 Vpp cannow be applied to the 50 ohm load as shown in FIG. 117A. The circuitwith the bypass network in FIG. 114 also had three values adjusted inthe surrounding circuit to compensate for the impedance changesintroduced by the bypass network and narrowed aperture. FIG. 115verifies that those changes added to the circuit, but without the bypassnetwork, did not themselves bring about the increased efficiencydemonstrated by the embodiment in FIG. 114 with the bypass network. FIG.117B shows the result of using the circuit in FIG. 115 in which only1.88 Vpp was able to be applied to a 50 ohm load.

2.8 Modifying the Energy Transfer Signal Utilizing Feedback

As discussed herein, FIG. 94 shows an embodiment of a system 9401 whichuses down-converted signal 9407 as feedback 9406 to control variouscharacteristics of the energy transfer module 9403 to modify thedown-converted signal 9407.

Generally, the amplitude of the down-converted signal 9407 varies as afunction of the frequency and phase differences between the EM signal9408 and the energy transfer signal 9405. In an embodiment, thedown-converted signal 9407 is used as the feedback 9406 to control thefrequency and phase relationship between the EM signal 9408 and theenergy transfer signal 9405. This can be accomplished using the examplelogic in FIG. 99A. The example circuit in FIG. 99A can be included inthe energy transfer signal module 9402. Alternate implementations willbe apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on theteachings contained herein. Alternate implementations fall within thescope and spirit of the present invention. In this embodiment astate-machine is used as an example.

In the example of FIG. 99A, a state machine 9904 reads an analog todigital converter, A/D 9902, and controls a digital to analog converter,DAC 9906. In an embodiment, the state machine 9904 includes 2 memorylocations, Previous and Current, to store and recall the results ofreading A/D 9902. In an embodiment, the state machine 9904 utilizes atleast one memory flag.

The DAC 9906 controls an input to a voltage controlled oscillator, VCO9908. VCO 9908 controls a frequency input of a pulse generator 9910,which, in an embodiment, is substantially similar to the pulse generatorshown in FIG. 93C. The pulse generator 9910 generates energy transfersignal 9405.

In an embodiment, the state machine 9904 operates in accordance with astate machine flowchart 9919 in FIG. 99B. The result of this operationis to modify the frequency and phase relationship between the energytransfer signal 9405 and the EM signal 9408, to substantially maintainthe amplitude of the down-converted signal 9407 at an optimum level.

The amplitude of the down-converted signal 9407 can be made to vary withthe amplitude of the energy transfer signal 9405. In an embodiment wherethe energy transfer module 9403 is a switch module 9205 is a FET asshown in FIG. 92A, wherein the gate 9204 receives the energy transfersignal 9405, the amplitude of the energy transfer signal 9405 candetermine the “on” resistance of the FET, which affects the amplitude ofthe down-converted signal 9407. The energy transfer signal module 9402,as shown in FIG. 99C, can be an analog circuit that enables an automaticgain control function. Alternate implementations will be apparent topersons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings containedherein. Some alternate implementations for the switch module 9205 areshown in FIGS. 92B-92D. Alternate implementations fall within the scopeand spirit of the present invention.

2.9 Other Implementations

The implementations described above are provided for purposes ofillustration. These implementations are not intended to limit theinvention. Alternate implementations, differing slightly orsubstantially from those described herein, will be apparent to personsskilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein.Such alternate implementations fall within the scope and spirit of thepresent invention.

2.10 Example Energy Transfer Down-Converters

Example implementations are described below for illustrative purposes.The invention is not limited to these examples.

FIG. 100 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary circuit to down converta 915 MHZ signal to a 5 MHZ signal using a 101.1 MHZ clock.

FIG. 101 shows example simulation waveforms for the circuit of FIG. 100.Waveform 10002 is the input to the circuit showing the distortionscaused by the switch closure. Waveform 10004 is the unfiltered output atthe storage unit. Waveform 10006 is the impedance matched output of thedown-converter on a different time scale.

FIG. 102 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary circuit to down-converta 915 MHZ signal to a 5 MHZ signal using a 101.1 MHZ clock. The circuithas additional tank circuitry to improve conversion efficiency.

FIG. 103 shows example simulation waveforms for the circuit of FIG. 102.Waveform 10202 is the input to the circuit showing the distortionscaused by the switch closure. Waveform 10204 is the unfiltered output atthe storage unit. Waveform 10206 is the output of the down-converterafter the impedance match circuit.

FIG. 104 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary circuit to down-converta 915 MHZ signal to a 5 MHZ signal using a 101.1 MHZ clock. The circuithas switch bypass circuitry to improve conversion efficiency.

FIG. 105 shows example simulation waveforms for the circuit of FIG. 104.Waveform 10402 is the input to the circuit showing the distortionscaused by the switch closure. Waveform 10404 is the unfiltered output atthe storage unit. Waveform 10406 is the output of the down-converterafter the impedance match circuit.

FIG. 106 shows a schematic of the example circuit in FIG. 100 connectedto an FSK source that alternates between 913 and 917 MHZ, at a baud rateof 500 Kbaud. FIG. 93 shows the original FSK waveform 9202 and thedown-converted waveform 9204 at the output of the load impedance matchcircuit.

3.0 FREQUENCY UP-CONVERSION

The present invention is directed to systems and methods of frequencyup-conversion, and applications of same.

An example frequency up-conversion system 300 is illustrated in FIG. 3.The frequency up-conversion system 300 is now described.

An input signal 302 (designated as “Control Signal” in FIG. 3) isaccepted by a switch module 304. For purposes of example only, assumethat the input signal 302 is a FM input signal 606, an example of whichis shown in FIG. 6C. FM input signal 606 may have been generated bymodulating information signal 602 onto oscillating signal 604 (FIGS. 6Aand 6B). It should be understood that the invention is not limited tothis embodiment. The information signal 602 can be analog, digital, orany combination thereof, and any modulation scheme can be used.

The output of switch module 304 is a harmonically rich signal 306, shownfor example in FIG. 6D as a harmonically rich signal 608. Theharmonically rich signal 608 has a continuous and periodic waveform.

FIG. 6E is an expanded view of two sections of harmonically rich signal608, section 610 and section 612. The harmonically rich signal 608 maybe a rectangular wave, such as a square wave or a pulse (although, theinvention is not limited to this embodiment). For ease of discussion,the term “rectangular waveform” is used to refer to waveforms that aresubstantially rectangular. In a similar manner, the term “square wave”refers to those waveforms that are substantially square and it is notthe intent of the present invention that a perfect square wave begenerated or needed.

Harmonically rich signal 608 is comprised of a plurality of sinusoidalwaves whose frequencies are integer multiples of the fundamentalfrequency of the waveform of the harmonically rich signal 608. Thesesinusoidal waves are referred to as the harmonics of the underlyingwaveform, and the fundamental frequency is referred to as the firstharmonic. FIG. 6F and FIG. 6G show separately the sinusoidal componentsmaking up the first, third, and fifth harmonics of section 610 andsection 612. (Note that in theory there may be an infinite number ofharmonics; in this example, because harmonically rich signal 608 isshown as a square wave, there are only odd harmonics). Three harmonicsare shown simultaneously (but not summed) in FIG. 6H.

The relative amplitudes of the harmonics are generally a function of therelative widths of the pulses of harmonically rich signal 306 and theperiod of the fundamental frequency, and can be determined by doing aFourier analysis of harmonically rich signal 306. According to anembodiment of the invention, the input signal 606 may be shaped toensure that the amplitude of the desired harmonic is sufficient for itsintended use (e.g., transmission).

A filter 308 filters out any undesired frequencies (harmonics), andoutputs an electromagnetic (EM) signal at the desired harmonic frequencyor frequencies as an output signal 310, shown for example as a filteredoutput signal 614 in FIG. 6I.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example universal frequency up-conversion (UFU)module 401. The UFU module 401 includes an example switch module 304,which comprises a bias signal 402, a resistor or impedance 404, auniversal frequency translator (UFT) 450, and a ground 408. The UFT 450includes a switch 406. The input signal 302 (designated as “ControlSignal” in FIG. 4) controls the switch 406 in the UFT 450, and causes itto close and open. Harmonically rich signal 306 is generated at a node405 located between the resistor or impedance 404 and the switch 406.

Also in FIG. 4, it can be seen that an example filter 308 is comprisedof a capacitor 410 and an inductor 412 shunted to a ground 414. Thefilter is designed to filter out the undesired harmonics of harmonicallyrich signal 306.

The invention is not limited to the UFU embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

For example, in an alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 5, an unshapedinput signal 501 is routed to a pulse shaping module 502. The pulseshaping module 502 modifies the unshaped input signal 501 to generate a(modified) input signal 302 (designated as the “Control Signal” in FIG.5). The input signal 302 is routed to the switch module 304, whichoperates in the manner described above. Also, the filter 308 of FIG. 5operates in the manner described above.

The purpose of the pulse shaping module 502 is to define the pulse widthof the input signal 302. Recall that the input signal 302 controls theopening and closing of the switch 406 in switch module 304. During suchoperation, the pulse width of the input signal 302 establishes the pulsewidth of the harmonically rich signal 306. As stated above, the relativeamplitudes of the harmonics of the harmonically rich signal 306 are afunction of at least the pulse width of the harmonically rich signal306. As such, the pulse width of the input signal 302 contributes tosetting the relative amplitudes of the harmonics of harmonically richsignal 306.

Further details of up-conversion as described in this section arepresented in pending U.S. application “Method and System for FrequencyUp-Conversion,” Ser. No. 09/176,154, filed Oct. 21, 1998, incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

4. ENHANCED SIGNAL RECEPTION

The present invention is directed to systems and methods of enhancedsignal reception (ESR), and applications of same.

Referring to FIG. 21, transmitter 2104 accepts a modulating basebandsignal 2102 and generates (transmitted) redundant spectrums 2106 a-n,which are sent over communications medium 2108. Receiver 2112 recovers ademodulated baseband signal 2114 from (received) redundant spectrums2110 a-n. Demodulated baseband signal 2114 is representative of themodulating baseband signal 2102, where the level of similarity betweenthe modulating baseband signal 2114 and the modulating baseband signal2102 is application dependent.

Modulating baseband signal 2102 is preferably any information signaldesired for transmission and/or reception. An example modulatingbaseband signal 2202 is illustrated in FIG. 22A, and has an associatedmodulating baseband spectrum 2204 and image spectrum 2203 that areillustrated in FIG. 22B. Modulating baseband signal 2202 is illustratedas an analog signal in FIG. 22 a, but could also be a digital signal, orcombination thereof. Modulating baseband signal 2202 could be a voltage(or current) characterization of any number of real world occurrences,including for example and without limitation, the voltage (or current)representation for a voice signal.

Each transmitted redundant spectrum 2106 a-n contains the necessaryinformation to substantially reconstruct the modulating baseband signal2102. In other words, each redundant spectrum 2106 a-n contains thenecessary amplitude, phase, and frequency information to reconstruct themodulating baseband signal 2102.

FIG. 22C illustrates example transmitted redundant spectrums 2206 b-d.Transmitted redundant spectrums 2206 b-d are illustrated to containthree redundant spectrums for illustration purposes only. Any number ofredundant spectrums could be generated and transmitted as will beexplained in following discussions.

Transmitted redundant spectrums 2206 b-d are centered at f₁, with afrequency spacing f₂ between adjacent spectrums. Frequencies f₁ and f₂are dynamically adjustable in real-time as will be shown below. FIG. 22Dillustrates an alternate embodiment, where redundant spectrums 2208 c,dare centered on unmodulated oscillating signal 2209 at f₁ (Hz).Oscillating signal 2209 may be suppressed if desired using, for example,phasing techniques or filtering techniques. Transmitted redundantspectrums are preferably above baseband frequencies as is represented bybreak 2205 in the frequency axis of FIGS. 22C and 22D.

Received redundant spectrums 2110 a-n are substantially similar totransmitted redundant spectrums 2106 a-n, except for the changesintroduced by the communications medium 2108. Such changes can includebut are not limited to signal attenuation, and signal interference. FIG.22E illustrates example received redundant spectrums 2210 b-d. Receivedredundant spectrums 2210 b-d are substantially similar to transmittedredundant spectrums 2206 b-d, except that redundant spectrum 2210 cincludes an undesired jamming signal spectrum 2211 in order toillustrate some advantages of the present invention. Jamming signalspectrum 2211 is a frequency spectrum associated with a jamming signal.For purposes of this invention, a “jamming signal” refers to anyunwanted signal, regardless of origin, that may interfere with theproper reception and reconstruction of an intended signal. Furthermore,the jamming signal is not limited to tones as depicted by spectrum 2211,and can have any spectral shape, as will be understood by those skilledin the art(s).

As stated above, demodulated baseband signal 2114 is extracted from oneor more of received redundant spectrums 2210 b-d. FIG. 22F illustratesexample demodulated baseband signal 2212 that is, in this example,substantially similar to modulating baseband signal 2202 (FIG. 22A);wherein practice, the degree of similarity is application dependent.

An advantage of the present invention should now be apparent. Therecovery of modulating baseband signal 2202 can be accomplished byreceiver 2112 in spite of the fact that high strength jamming signal(s)(e.g. jamming signal spectrum 2211) exist on the communications medium.The intended baseband signal can be recovered because multiple redundantspectrums are transmitted, where each redundant spectrum carries thenecessary information to reconstruct the baseband signal. At thedestination, the redundant spectrums are isolated from each other sothat the baseband signal can be recovered even if one or more of theredundant spectrums are corrupted by a jamming signal.

Transmitter 2104 will now be explored in greater detail. FIG. 23Aillustrates transmitter 2301, which is one embodiment of transmitter2104 that generates redundant spectrums configured similar to redundantspectrums 2206 b-d. Transmitter 2301 includes generator 2303, optionalspectrum processing module 2304, and optional medium interface module2320. Generator 2303 includes: first oscillator 2302, second oscillator2309, first stage modulator 2306, and second stage modulator 2310.

Transmitter 2301 operates as follows. First oscillator 2302 and secondoscillator 2309 generate a first oscillating signal 2305 and secondoscillating signal 2312, respectively. First stage modulator 2306modulates first oscillating signal 2305 with modulating baseband signal2202, resulting in modulated signal 2308. First stage modulator 2306 mayimplement any type of modulation including but not limited to: amplitudemodulation, frequency modulation, phase modulation, combinationsthereof, or any other type of modulation. Second stage modulator 2310modulates modulated signal 2308 with second oscillating signal 2312,resulting in multiple redundant spectrums 2206 a-n shown in FIG. 23B.Second stage modulator 2310 is preferably a phase modulator, or afrequency modulator, although other types of modulation may beimplemented including but not limited to amplitude modulation. Eachredundant spectrum 2206 a-n contains the necessary amplitude, phase, andfrequency information to substantially reconstruct the modulatingbaseband signal 2202.

Redundant spectrums 2206 a-n are substantially centered around f₁, whichis the characteristic frequency of first oscillating signal 2305. Also,each redundant spectrum 2206 a-n (except for 2206 c) is offset from f₁by approximately a multiple of f₂ (Hz), where f₂ is the frequency of thesecond oscillating signal 2312. Thus, each redundant spectrum 2206 a-nis offset from an adjacent redundant spectrum by f₂ (Hz). This allowsthe spacing between adjacent redundant spectrums to be adjusted (ortuned) by changing f₂ that is associated with second oscillator 2309.Adjusting the spacing between adjacent redundant spectrums allows fordynamic real-time tuning of the bandwidth occupied by redundantspectrums 2206 a-n.

In one embodiment, the number of redundant spectrums 2206 a-n generatedby transmitter 2301 is arbitrary and may be unlimited as indicated bythe “a-n” designation for redundant spectrums 2206 a-n. However, atypical communications medium will have a physical and/or administrativelimitations (i.e. FCC regulations) that restrict the number of redundantspectrums that can be practically transmitted over the communicationsmedium. Also, there may be other reasons to limit the number ofredundant spectrums transmitted. Therefore, preferably, the transmitter2301 will include an optional spectrum processing module 2304 to processthe redundant spectrums 2206 a-n prior to transmission overcommunications medium 2108.

In one embodiment, spectrum processing module 2304 includes a filterwith a passband 2207 (FIG. 23C) to select redundant spectrums 2206 b-dfor transmission. This will substantially limit the frequency bandwidthoccupied by the redundant spectrums to the passband 2207. In oneembodiment, spectrum processing module 2304 also up converts redundantspectrums and/or amplifies redundant spectrums prior to transmissionover the communications medium 2108. Finally, medium interface module2320 transmits redundant spectrums over the communications medium 2108.In one embodiment, communications medium 2108 is an over-the-air linkand medium interface module 2320 is an antenna. Other embodiments forcommunications medium 2108 and medium interface module 2320 will beunderstood based on the teachings contained herein.

FIG. 23D illustrates transmitter 2321, which is one embodiment oftransmitter 2104 that generates redundant spectrums configured similarto redundant spectrums 2208 c-d and unmodulated spectrum 2209.Transmitter 2321 includes generator 2311, (optional) spectrum processingmodule 2304, and (optional) medium interface module 2320. Generator 2311includes: first oscillator 2302, second oscillator 2309, first stagemodulator 2306, and second stage modulator 2310.

As shown in FIG. 23D, many of the components in transmitter 2321 aresimilar to those in transmitter 2301. However, in this embodiment,modulating baseband signal 2202 modulates second oscillating signal2312. Transmitter 2321 operates as follows. First stage modulator 2306modulates second oscillating signal 2312 with modulating baseband signal2202, resulting in modulated signal 2322. As described earlier, firststage modulator 2306 can effect any type of modulation including but notlimited to: amplitude modulation frequency modulation, combinationsthereof, or any other type of modulation. Second stage modulator 2310modulates first oscillating signal 2304 with modulated signal 2322,resulting in redundant spectrums 2208 a-n, as shown in FIG. 23E. Secondstage modulator 2310 is preferably a phase or frequency modulator,although other modulators could used including but not limited to anamplitude modulator.

Redundant spectrums 2208 a-n are centered on unmodulated spectrum 2209(at f₁ Hz), and adjacent spectrums are separated by f₂ Hz. The number ofredundant spectrums 2208 a-n generated by generator 2311 is arbitraryand unlimited, similar to spectrums 2206 a-n discussed above. Therefore,optional spectrum processing module 2304 may also include a filter withpassband 2325 to select, for example, spectrums 2208 c,d fortransmission over communications medium 2108. In addition, optionalspectrum processing module 2304 may also include a filter (such as abandstop filter) to attenuate unmodulated spectrum 2209. Alternatively,unmodulated spectrum 2209 may be attenuated by using phasing techniquesduring redundant spectrum generation. Finally, (optional) mediuminterface module 2320 transmits redundant spectrums 2208 c,d overcommunications medium 2108.

Receiver 2112 will now be explored in greater detail to illustraterecovery of a demodulated baseband signal from received redundantspectrums. FIG. 24A illustrates receiver 2430, which is one embodimentof receiver 2112. Receiver 2430 includes optional medium interfacemodule 2402, down-converter 2404, spectrum isolation module 2408, anddata extraction module 2414. Spectrum isolation module 2408 includesfilters 2410 a-c. Data extraction module 2414 includes demodulators 2416a-c, error check modules 2420 a-c, and arbitration module 2424. Receiver2430 will be discussed in relation to the signal diagrams in FIGS.24B-24J.

In one embodiment, optional medium interface module 2402 receivesredundant spectrums 2210 b-d (FIG. 22E, and FIG. 24B). Each redundantspectrum 2210 b-d includes the necessary amplitude, phase, and frequencyinformation to substantially reconstruct the modulating baseband signalused to generated the redundant spectrums. However, in the presentexample, spectrum 2210 c also contains jamming signal 2211, which mayinterfere with the recovery of a baseband signal from spectrum 2210 c.Down-converter 2404 down-converts received redundant spectrums 2210 b-dto lower intermediate frequencies, resulting in redundant spectrums 2406a-c (FIG. 24C). Jamming signal 2211 is also down-converted to jammingsignal 2407, as it is contained within redundant spectrum 2406 b.Spectrum isolation module 2408 includes filters 2410 a-c that isolateredundant spectrums 2406 a-c from each other (FIGS. 24D-24F,respectively). Demodulators 2416 a-c independently demodulate spectrums2406 a-c, resulting in demodulated baseband signals 2418 a-c,respectively (FIGS. 24G-24I). Error check modules 2420 a-c analyze thedemodulated baseband signals 2418 a-c to detect any errors. In oneembodiment, each error check module 2420 a-c sets an error flag 2422 a-cwhenever an error is detected in a demodulated baseband signal.Arbitration module 2424 accepts the demodulated baseband signals andassociated error flags, and selects a substantially error-freedemodulated baseband signal (FIG. 24J). In one embodiment, thesubstantially error-free demodulated baseband signal will besubstantially similar to the modulating baseband signal used to generatethe received redundant spectrums, where the degree of similarity isapplication dependent.

Referring to FIGS. 24G-I, arbitration module 2424 will select eitherdemodulated baseband signal 2418 a or 2418 c, because error check module2420 b will set the error flag 2422 b that is associated withdemodulated baseband signal 2418 b.

The error detection schemes implemented by the error detection modulesinclude but are not limited to: cyclic redundancy check (CRC) and paritycheck for digital signals, and various error detections schemes foranalog signal.

Further details of enhanced signal reception as described in thissection are presented in pending U.S. application “Method and System forEnsuring Reception of a Communications Signal,” Ser. No. 09/176,415,filed Oct. 21, 1998, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,555 on May 9, 2000,incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

5. UNIFIED DOWN-CONVERSION AND FILTERING

The present invention is directed to systems and methods of unifieddown-conversion and filtering (UDF), and applications of same.

In particular, the present invention includes a unified down-convertingand filtering (UDF) module that performs frequency selectivity andfrequency translation in a unified (i.e., integrated) manner. Byoperating in this manner, the invention achieves high frequencyselectivity prior to frequency translation (the invention is not limitedto this embodiment). The invention achieves high frequency selectivityat substantially any frequency, including but not limited to RF (radiofrequency) and greater frequencies. It should be understood that theinvention is not limited to this example of RF and greater frequencies.The invention is intended, adapted, and capable of working with lowerthan radio frequencies.

FIG. 17 is a conceptual block diagram of a UDF module 1702 according toan embodiment of the present invention. The UDF module 1702 performs atleast frequency translation and frequency selectivity.

The effect achieved by the UDF module 1702 is to perform the frequencyselectivity operation prior to the performance of the frequencytranslation operation. Thus, the UDF module 1702 effectively performsinput filtering.

According to embodiments of the present invention, such input filteringinvolves a relatively narrow bandwidth. For example, such inputfiltering may represent channel select filtering, where the filterbandwidth may be, for example, 50 KHz to 150 KHz. It should beunderstood, however, that the invention is not limited to thesefrequencies. The invention is intended, adapted, and capable ofachieving filter bandwidths of less than and greater than these values.

In embodiments of the invention, input signals 1704 received by the UDFmodule 1702 are at radio frequencies. The UDF module 1702 effectivelyoperates to input filter these RF input signals 1704. Specifically, inthese embodiments, the UDF module 1702 effectively performs input,channel select filtering of the RF input signal 1704. Accordingly, theinvention achieves high selectivity at high frequencies.

The UDF module 1702 effectively performs various types of filtering,including but not limited to bandpass filtering, low pass filtering,high pass filtering, notch filtering, all pass filtering, band stopfiltering, etc., and combinations thereof.

Conceptually, the UDF module 1702 includes a frequency translator 1708.The frequency translator 1708 conceptually represents that portion ofthe UDF module 1702 that performs frequency translation (downconversion).

The UDF module 1702 also conceptually includes an apparent input filter1706 (also sometimes called an input filtering emulator). Conceptually,the apparent input filter 1706 represents that portion of the UDF module1702 that performs input filtering.

In practice, the input filtering operation performed by the UDF module1702 is integrated with the frequency translation operation. The inputfiltering operation can be viewed as being performed concurrently withthe frequency translation operation. This is a reason why the inputfilter 1706 is herein referred to as an “apparent” input filter 1706.

The UDF module 1702 of the present invention includes a number ofadvantages. For example, high selectivity at high frequencies isrealizable using the UDF module 1702. This feature of the invention isevident by the high Q factors that are attainable. For example, andwithout limitation, the UDF module 1702 can be designed with a filtercenter frequency f_(C) on the order of 900 MHZ, and a filter bandwidthon the order of 50 KHz. This represents a Q of 18,000 (Q is equal to thecenter frequency divided by the bandwidth).

It should be understood that the invention is not limited to filterswith high Q factors. The filters contemplated by the present inventionmay have lesser or greater Qs, depending on the application, design,and/or implementation. Also, the scope of the invention includes filterswhere Q factor as discussed herein is not applicable.

The invention exhibits additional advantages. For example, the filteringcenter frequency f_(C) of the UDF module 1702 can be electricallyadjusted, either statically or dynamically.

Also, the UDF module 1702 can be designed to amplify input signals.

Further, the UDF module 1702 can be implemented without large resistors,capacitors, or inductors. Also, the UDF module 1702 does not requirethat tight tolerances be maintained on the values of its individualcomponents, i.e., its resistors, capacitors, inductors, etc. As aresult, the architecture of the UDF module 1702 is friendly tointegrated circuit design techniques and processes.

The features and advantages exhibited by the UDF module 1702 areachieved at least in part by adopting a new technological paradigm withrespect to frequency selectivity and translation. Specifically,according to the present invention, the UDF module 1702 performs thefrequency selectivity operation and the frequency translation operationas a single, unified (integrated) operation. According to the invention,operations relating to frequency translation also contribute to theperformance of frequency selectivity, and vice versa.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the UDF modulegenerates an output signal from an input signal using samples/instancesof the input signal and samples/instances of the output signal.

More particularly, first, the input signal is under-sampled. This inputsample includes information (such as amplitude, phase, etc.)representative of the input signal existing at the time the sample wastaken.

As described further below, the effect of repetitively performing thisstep is to translate the frequency (that is, down-convert) of the inputsignal to a desired lower frequency, such as an intermediate frequency(IF) or baseband.

Next, the input sample is held (that is, delayed).

Then, one or more delayed input samples (some of which may have beenscaled) are combined with one or more delayed instances of the outputsignal (some of which may have been scaled) to generate a currentinstance of the output signal.

Thus, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outputsignal is generated from prior samples/instances of the input signaland/or the output signal. (It is noted that, in some embodiments of theinvention, current samples/instances of the input signal and/or theoutput signal may be used to generate current instances of the outputsignal). By operating in this manner, the UDF module preferably performsinput filtering and frequency down-conversion in a unified manner.

FIG. 19 illustrates an example implementation of the unifieddown-converting and filtering (UDF) module 1922. The UDF module 1922performs the frequency translation operation and the frequencyselectivity operation in an integrated, unified manner as describedabove, and as further described below.

In the example of FIG. 19, the frequency selectivity operation performedby the UDF module 1922 comprises a band-pass filtering operationaccording to the equation that follows, which is an examplerepresentation of a band-pass filtering transfer function.

VO=α ₁ z ⁻¹ VI−β ₁ z ⁻¹ VO−β ₀ z ⁻² VO

It should be noted, however, that the invention is not limited toband-pass filtering. Instead, the invention effectively performs varioustypes of filtering, including but not limited to bandpass filtering, lowpass filtering, high pass filtering, notch filtering, all passfiltering, band stop filtering, etc., and combinations thereof. As willbe appreciated, there are many representations of any given filter type.The invention is applicable to these filter representations. Thus, theequation above is referred to herein for illustrative purposes only, andis not limiting.

The UDF module 1922 includes a down-convert and delay module 1924, firstand second delay modules 1928 and 1930, first and second scaling modules1932 and 1934, an output sample and hold module 1936, and an (optional)output smoothing module 1938. Other embodiments of the UDF module willhave these components in different configurations, and/or a subset ofthese components, and/or additional components. For example, and withoutlimitation, in the configuration shown in FIG. 19, the output smoothingmodule 1938 is optional.

As further described below, in the example of FIG. 19, the down-convertand delay module 1924 and the first and second delay modules 1928 and1930 include switches that are controlled by a clock having two phases,φ₁ and φ₂. φ₁ and φ₂ preferably have the same frequency, and arenon-overlapping (alternatively, a plurality such as two clock signalshaving these characteristics could be used). As used herein, the term“non-overlapping” is defined as two or more signals where only one ofthe signals is active at any given time. In some embodiments, signalsare “active” when they are high. In other embodiments, signals areactive when they are low.

Preferably, each of these switches closes on a rising edge of φ₁ or φ₂,and opens on the next corresponding falling edge of φ₁ or φ₂. However,the invention is not limited to this example. As will be apparent topersons skilled in the relevant art(s), other clock conventions can beused to control the switches.

In the example of FIG. 19, it is assumed that α₁ is equal to one. Thus,the output of the down-convert and delay module 1924 is not scaled. Asevident from the embodiments described above, however, the invention isnot limited to this example.

The example UDF module 1922 has a filter center frequency of 900.2 MHZand a filter bandwidth of 570 KHz. The pass band of the UDF module 1922is on the order of 899.915 MHZ to 900.485 MHZ. The Q factor of the UDFmodule 1922 is approximately 1879 (i.e., 900.2 MHZ divided by 570 KHz).

The operation of the UDF module 1922 shall now be described withreference to a Table 1802 (FIG. 18) that indicates example values atnodes in the UDF module 1922 at a number of consecutive time increments.It is assumed in Table 1802 that the UDF module 1922 begins operating attime t−1. As indicated below, the UDF module 1922 reaches steady state afew time units after operation begins. The number of time unitsnecessary for a given UDF module to reach steady state depends on theconfiguration of the UDF module, and will be apparent to persons skilledin the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein.

At the rising edge of φ₁ at time t−1, a switch 1950 in the down-convertand delay module 1924 closes. This allows a capacitor 1952 to charge tothe current value of an input signal, VI_(t−1), such that node 1902 isat VI_(t−1). This is indicated by cell 1804 in FIG. 18. In effect, thecombination of the switch 1950 and the capacitor 1952 in thedown-convert and delay module 1924 operates to translate the frequencyof the input signal VI to a desired lower frequency, such as IF orbaseband. Thus, the value stored in the capacitor 1952 represents aninstance of a down-converted image of the input signal VI.

The manner in which the down-convert and delay module 1924 performsfrequency down-conversion is further described elsewhere in thisapplication, and is additionally described in U.S. application “Methodand System for Down-Converting Electromagnetic Signals,” Ser. No.09/176,022, filed Oct. 21, 1998, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,551 onMay 9, 2000, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Also at the rising edge of φ₁ at time t−1, a switch 1958 in the firstdelay module 1928 closes, allowing a capacitor 1960 to charge toVO_(t−1), such that node 1906 is at VO_(t−1). This is indicated by cell1806 in Table 1802. (In practice, VO_(t−1) is undefined at this point.However, for ease of understanding, VO_(t−1) shall continue to be usedfor purposes of explanation.)

Also at the rising edge of φ₁ at time t−1, a switch 1966 in the seconddelay module 1930 closes, allowing a capacitor 1968 to charge to a valuestored in a capacitor 1964. At this time, however, the value incapacitor 1964 is undefined, so the value in capacitor 1968 isundefined. This is indicated by cell 1807 in table 1802.

At the rising edge of φ₂ at time t−1, a switch 1954 in the down-convertand delay module 1924 closes, allowing a capacitor 1956 to charge to thelevel of the capacitor 1952. Accordingly, the capacitor 1956 charges toVI_(t−1) such that node 1904 is at VI_(t−1). This is indicated by cell1810 in Table 1802.

The UDF module 1922 may optionally include a unity gain module 1990Abetween capacitors 1952 and 1956. The unity gain module 1990A operatesas a current source to enable capacitor 1956 to charge without drainingthe charge from capacitor 1952. For a similar reason, the UDF module1922 may include other unity gain modules 1990B-1990G. It should beunderstood that, for many embodiments and applications of the invention,these unity gain modules 1990A-1990G are optional. The structure andoperation of the unity gain modules 1990 will be apparent to personsskilled in the relevant art(s).

Also at the rising edge of φ₂ at time t−1, a switch 1962 in the firstdelay module 1928 closes, allowing a capacitor 1964 to charge to thelevel of the capacitor 1960. Accordingly, the capacitor 1964 charges toVO_(t−1), such that node 1908 is at VO_(t−1). This is indicated by cell1814 in Table 1802.

Also at the rising edge of φ₂ at time t−1, a switch 1970 in the seconddelay module 1930 closes, allowing a capacitor 1972 to charge to a valuestored in a capacitor 1968. At this time, however, the value incapacitor 1968 is undefined, so the value in capacitor 1972 isundefined. This is indicated by cell 1815 in table 1802.

At time t, at the rising edge of φ₁, the switch 1950 in the down-convertand delay module 1924 closes. This allows the capacitor 1952 to chargeto VI_(t), such that node 1902 is at VI_(t). This is indicated in cell1816 of Table 1802.

Also at the rising edge of φ₁ at time t, the switch 1958 in the firstdelay module 1928 closes, thereby allowing the capacitor 1960 to chargeto VO_(t). Accordingly, node 1906 is at VO_(t). This is indicated incell 1820 in Table 1802.

Further at the rising edge of φ₁ at time t, the switch 1966 in thesecond delay module 1930 closes, allowing a capacitor 1968 to charge tothe level of the capacitor 1964. Therefore, the capacitor 1968 chargesto VO_(t−1), such that node 1910 is at VO_(t−1). This is indicated bycell 1824 in Table 1802.

At the rising edge of φ₂ at time t, the switch 1954 in the down-convertand delay module 1924 closes, allowing the capacitor 1956 to charge tothe level of the capacitor 1952. Accordingly, the capacitor 1956 chargesto VI_(t), such that node 1904 is at VI_(t). This is indicated by cell1828 in Table 1802.

Also at the rising edge of φ₂ at time t, the switch 1962 in the firstdelay module 1928 closes, allowing the capacitor 1964 to charge to thelevel in the capacitor 1960. Therefore, the capacitor 1964 charges toVO_(t), such that node 1908 is at VO_(t). This is indicated by cell 1832in Table 1802.

Further at the rising edge of φ₂ at time t, the switch 1970 in thesecond delay module 1930 closes, allowing the capacitor 1972 in thesecond delay module 1930 to charge to the level of the capacitor 1968 inthe second delay module 1930. Therefore, the capacitor 1972 charges toVO_(t−1), such that node 1912 is at VO_(t−1). This is indicated in cell1836 of FIG. 18.

At time t+1, at the rising edge of φ₁, the switch 1950 in thedown-convert and delay module 1924 closes, allowing the capacitor 1952to charge to VI_(t+1). Therefore, node 1902 is at VI_(t+1), as indicatedby cell 1838 of Table 1802.

Also at the rising edge of φ₁ at time t+1, the switch 1958 in the firstdelay module 1928 closes, allowing the capacitor 1960 to charge toVO_(t+1). Accordingly, node 1906 is at VO_(t+1), as indicated by cell1842 in Table 1802.

Further at the rising edge of φ₁ at time t+1, the switch 1966 in thesecond delay module 1930 closes, allowing the capacitor 1968 to chargeto the level of the capacitor 1964. Accordingly, the capacitor 1968charges to VO_(t), as indicated by cell 1846 of Table 1802.

In the example of FIG. 19, the first scaling module 1932 scales thevalue at node 1908 (i.e., the output of the first delay module 1928) bya scaling factor of −0.1. Accordingly, the value present at node 1914 attime t+1 is −0.1*VO_(t). Similarly, the second scaling module 1934scales the value present at node 1912 (i.e., the output of the secondscaling module 1930) by a scaling factor of −0.8. Accordingly, the valuepresent at node 1916 is −0.8*VO_(t−1) at time t+1.

At time t+1, the values at the inputs of the summer 1926 are: VI_(t) atnode 1904, −0.1*VO_(t) at node 1914, and −0.8*VO_(t−1) at node 1916 (inthe example of FIG. 19, the values at nodes 1914 and 1916 are summed bya second summer 1925, and this sum is presented to the summer 1926).Accordingly, at time t+1, the summer generates a signal equal toVI_(t)−0.1*VO_(t)−0.8*VO_(t−1).

At the rising edge of φ₁ at time t+1, a switch 1991 in the output sampleand hold module 1936 closes, thereby allowing a capacitor 1992 to chargeto VO_(t+1). Accordingly, the capacitor 1992 charges to VO_(t+1), whichis equal to the sum generated by the adder 1926. As just noted, thisvalue is equal to: VI_(t)−0.1*VO_(t)−0.8*VO_(t−1). This is indicated incell 1850 of Table 1802. This value is presented to the optional outputsmoothing module 1938, which smooths the signal to thereby generate theinstance of the output signal VO_(t+1). It is apparent from inspectionthat this value of VO_(t+1) is consistent with the band pass filtertransfer function of EQ. 1.

Further details of unified down-conversion and filtering as described inthis section are presented in pending U.S. application “IntegratedFrequency Translation And Selectivity,” Ser. No. 09/175,966, filed Oct.21, 1998, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,049,706 on Apr. 11, 2000,incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

6. EXAMPLE APPLICATION EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

As noted above, the UFT module of the present invention is a verypowerful and flexible device. Its flexibility is illustrated, in part,by the wide range of applications in which it can be used. Its power isillustrated, in part, by the usefulness and performance of suchapplications.

Example applications of the UFT module were described above. Inparticular, frequency down-conversion, frequency up-conversion, enhancedsignal reception, and unified down-conversion and filtering applicationsof the UFT module were summarized above, and are further describedbelow. These applications of the UFT module are discussed herein forillustrative purposes. The invention is not limited to these exampleapplications. Additional applications of the UFT module will be apparentto persons skilled in the relevant art(s), based on the teachingscontained herein.

For example, the present invention can be used in applications thatinvolve frequency down-conversion. This is shown in FIG. 1C, forexample, where an example UFT module 115 is used in a down-conversionmodule 114. In this capacity, the UFT module 115 frequency down-convertsan input signal to an output signal. This is also shown in FIG. 7, forexample, where an example UFT module 706 is part of a down-conversionmodule 704, which is part of a receiver 702.

The present invention can be used in applications that involve frequencyup-conversion. This is shown in FIG. 1D, for example, where an exampleUFT module 117 is used in a frequency up-conversion module 116. In thiscapacity, the UFT module 117 frequency up-converts an input signal to anoutput signal. This is also shown in FIG. 8, for example, where anexample UFT module 806 is part of up-conversion module 804, which ispart of a transmitter 802.

The present invention can be used in environments having one or moretransmitters 902 and one or more receivers 906, as illustrated in FIG.9. In such environments, one or more of the transmitters 902 may beimplemented using a UFT module, as shown for example in FIG. 8. Also,one or more of the receivers 906 may be implemented using a UFT module,as shown for example in FIG. 7.

The invention can be used to implement a transceiver. An exampletransceiver 1002 is illustrated in FIG. 10. The transceiver 1002includes a transmitter 1004 and a receiver 1008. Either the transmitter1004 or the receiver 1008 can be implemented using a UFT module.Alternatively, the transmitter 1004 can be implemented using a UFTmodule 1006, and the receiver 1008 can be implemented using a UFT module1010. This embodiment is shown in FIG. 10.

Another transceiver embodiment according to the invention is shown inFIG. 11. In this transceiver 1102, the transmitter 1104 and the receiver1108 are implemented using a single UFT module 1106. In other words, thetransmitter 1104 and the receiver 1108 share a UFT module 1106.

As described elsewhere in this application, the invention is directed tomethods and systems for enhanced signal reception (ESR). Various ESRembodiments include an ESR module (transmit) in a transmitter 1202, andan ESR module (receive) in a receiver 1210. An example ESR embodimentconfigured in this manner is illustrated in FIG. 12.

The ESR module (transmit) 1204 includes a frequency up-conversion module1206. Some embodiments of this frequency up-conversion module 1206 maybe implemented using a UFT module, such as that shown in FIG. 1D.

The ESR module (receive) 1212 includes a frequency down-conversionmodule 1214. Some embodiments of this frequency down-conversion module1214 may be implemented using a UFT module, such as that shown in FIG.1C.

As described elsewhere in this application, the invention is directed tomethods and systems for unified down-conversion and filtering (UDF). Anexample unified down-conversion and filtering module 1302 is illustratedin FIG. 13. The unified down-conversion and filtering module 1302includes a frequency down-conversion module 1304 and a filtering module1306. According to the invention, the frequency down-conversion module1304 and the filtering module 1306 are implemented using a UFT module1308, as indicated in FIG. 13.

Unified down-conversion and filtering according to the invention isuseful in applications involving filtering and/or frequencydown-conversion. This is depicted, for example, in FIGS. 15A-15F. FIGS.15A-15C indicate that unified down-conversion and filtering according tothe invention is useful in applications where filtering precedes,follows, or both precedes and follows frequency down-conversion. FIG.15D indicates that a unified down-conversion and filtering module 1524according to the invention can be utilized as a filter 1522 (i.e., wherethe extent of frequency down-conversion by the down-converter in theunified down-conversion and filtering module 1524 is minimized). FIG.15E indicates that a unified down-conversion and filtering module 1528according to the invention can be utilized as a down-converter 1526(i.e., where the filter in the unified down-conversion and filteringmodule 1528 passes substantially all frequencies). FIG. 15F illustratesthat the unified down-conversion and filtering module 1532 can be usedas an amplifier. It is noted that one or more UDF modules can be used inapplications that involve at least one or more of filtering, frequencytranslation, and amplification.

For example, receivers, which typically perform filtering,down-conversion, and filtering operations, can be implemented using oneor more unified down-conversion and filtering modules. This isillustrated, for example, in FIG. 14.

The methods and systems of unified down-conversion and filtering of theinvention have many other applications. For example, as discussedherein, the enhanced signal reception (ESR) module (receive) operates todown-convert a signal containing a plurality of spectrums. The ESRmodule (receive) also operates to isolate the spectrums in thedown-converted signal, where such isolation is implemented via filteringin some embodiments. According to embodiments of the invention, the ESRmodule (receive) is implemented using one or more unifieddown-conversion and filtering (UDF) modules. This is illustrated, forexample, in FIG. 16. In the example of FIG. 16, one or more of the UDFmodules 1610, 1612, 1614 operates to down-convert a received signal. TheUDF modules 1610, 1612, 1614 also operate to filter the down-convertedsignal so as to isolate the spectrum(s) contained therein. As notedabove, the UDF modules 1610, 1612, 1614 are implemented using theuniversal frequency translation (UFT) modules of the invention.

The invention is not limited to the applications of the UFT moduledescribed above. For example, and without limitation, subsets of theapplications (methods and/or structures) described herein (and othersthat would be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) basedon the herein teachings) can be associated to form useful combinations.

For example, transmitters and receivers are two applications of the UFTmodule. FIG. 10 illustrates a transceiver 1002 that is formed bycombining these two applications of the UFT module, i.e., by combining atransmitter 1004 with a receiver 1008.

Also, ESR (enhanced signal reception) and unified down-conversion andfiltering are two other applications of the UFT module. FIG. 16illustrates an example where ESR and unified down-conversion andfiltering are combined to form a modified enhanced signal receptionsystem.

The invention is not limited to the example applications of the UFTmodule discussed herein. Also, the invention is not limited to theexample combinations of applications of the UFT module discussed herein.These examples were provided for illustrative purposes only, and are notlimiting. Other applications and combinations of such applications willbe apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on theteachings contained herein. Such applications and combinations include,for example and without limitation, applications/combinations comprisingand/or involving one or more of: (1) frequency translation; (2)frequency down-conversion; (3) frequency up-conversion; (4) receiving;(5) transmitting; (6) filtering; and/or (7) signal transmission andreception in environments containing potentially jamming signals.

Additional example applications are described below.

7. PHASE SHIFTING USING UNIVERSAL FREQUENCY TRANSLATION

7.1 High Level Description

Universal Frequency Translation is described herein and is described inthe above referenced applications including U.S. patent application Ser.Nos. 09/176,022, 09/293,095, 09/293,342, 09/176,154, and 09/521,878, andincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

As stated herein and in the above referenced applications, a UniversalFrequency Translation (UFT) module can be configured to down-convert aninput signal to an IF signal or a baseband signal by sampling the inputsignal according to a periodic control signal (also called an aliasingsignal). Similarly, a UFT module can be configured to up-convert abaseband signal by sampling the baseband signal according to the controlsignal. By controlling the relative sampling time, the UFT moduleimplements a relative phase shift during the down-conversion orup-conversion. In other words, a relative phase shift can be introducedin the output signal by sampling the input signal at one point in timerelative to another point in time. As such, the UFT module can beconfigured as an integrated frequency translator and phase-shifter asshown in FIG. 25A. This includes the UFT module as an integrateddown-converter and phase-shifter as shown in FIG. 25B, and the UFTmodule as an integrated up-converter and phase-shifter as shown in FIG.25C.

FIG. 25D illustrates a flowchart 2500 that further describes phaseshifting and frequency translation according to embodiments of thepresent invention. Flowchart 2500 is discussed in terms of generalfrequency translation, and is applicable to both down-conversion andup-conversion. Specific embodiments that are directed to down-conversionand up-conversion are also discussed herein in following sections.

In step 2502, an EM input signal is received.

In step 2504, the EM input signal is sampled according to a periodiccontrol signal having a nominal period of T, resulting in a frequencytranslated output signal. In other words, the EM signal is periodicallysampled T seconds apart. In embodiments of the invention, the controlsignal comprises a plurality of pulses having apertures (or pulsewidths) that are established to transfer non-negligible amounts ofenergy to the output signal. In other words, the apertures of thecontrol signal can be varied to improve (and optimize) energy transferto the frequency translated output signal. In further embodiments theshape of the sampling pulses may be modified to emulate a matched filterthat corresponds to the shape of the input EM signal. For example, givena sinusoidal input, the corners of the pulses may be “rounded-off” tobetter match the input signal, thereby further improving energy transferto the frequency translated output signal.

For down-conversion, the output signal is a down-converted image of theEM input signal. As discussed in the patent applications cited above,the EM input signal can be down-converted directly to baseband or can bedown-converted to an IF frequency. For direct baseband conversion, thefrequency of the control signal is preferably a sub-harmonic of the EMinput signal. For IF conversion, the frequency of the control signal ispreferably offset from a sub-harmonic of the EM input signal asrepresented by the following equation:

Freq_(CNTL)=(Freq_(input)+/−Freq_(IF))/n

where:

Freq_(CNTL)=frequency of pulses in the control signal

Freq_(input)=frequency of the EM input signal

Freq_(IF)=frequency of the output signal

n=harmonic number

For up-conversion, the EM input signal is preferably a baseband signalor lower frequency signal that is up-converted to a higher frequencyoutput signal. As discussed in the patent applications cited above, theperiodic sampling of the EM input signal generates a harmonically richsignal, which contains multiple harmonics images of the baseband inputsignal that repeat at harmonics of the frequency of the control signal.Each harmonic image contains the necessary amplitude, frequency, andphase information to reconstruct the baseband signal. A bandpass filtercan be utilized to select a harmonic (or harmonics) of interest fortransmission.

In step 2506, the sampling time of the EM signal is varied (or adjusted)from the nominal sampling time to implement a relative phase shift inthe output signal. In other words, the phase of the pulses in thecontrol signal is varied so that the EM signal is sampled earlier (orlater) than a nominal sampling time to implement the desired phase shiftin the output signal.

FIGS. 25E-K further illustrate variable sampling times of an EM signalto generate a frequency translated/phase-shifted output signal. FIG. 25Eillustrates an example EM input signal 2510, which is an AM modulated RFsignal that is to be down-converted directly to baseband, so as to stripoff the AM modulation. EM input signal 2510 is sampled according tocontrol signals in FIGS. 25F-H. FIG. 25F illustrates a reference controlsignal 2512 having a plurality of pulses with period T, and an aperturewidth 2511. FIG. 25G illustrates a control signal 2514 that leads thereference control signal 2512, as shown. FIG. 25J illustrates a controlsignal 2516 that lags the reference control signal 2512, as shown.

Still referring to FIGS. 25E-K, when the EM signal 2510 is sampled by aUFT module according to the reference control signal 2512, the result isa down-converted output signal 2518 that is shown in FIG. 25H. When the(leading) control signal 2514 is used to control the sampling times, theresult is an output signal 2520 that is shown in FIG. 25J. When the(lagging) control signal 2516 is used to control the sampling times, theresult is an output signal 2522 that is shown in FIG. 25K. By comparingthe three output signals at time t₀, the relative phase shift can beobserved. In other words, the output signal 2520 leads the referenceoutput signal 2518 as shown, and the output signal 2522 lags thereference output signal 2518 as shown.

As illustrated in FIGS. 25E-K, the control signals include a train ofpulses having a non-negligible pulse widths 2511 that tend away fromzero time duration. The duration of the pulse width may vary inembodiments of the invention. For down-conversion embodiments, the pulsewidths 2511 can be approximately 1/10, ¼, ½, ¾, etc., or any otherfraction of the period of the EM input signal. Alternatively, the pulsewidths 2511 can be approximately equal to one or more periods of the EMinput signal plus 1/10, ¼, ½, ¾, etc., or any other fraction of a periodof the EM signal. In a preferred embodiment, the pulse widths areapproximately ½ of a period of the EM signal that is to bedown-converted, or one or more periods plus ½ of a period of the EMsignal. For up-conversion embodiments, the pulse widths are set to ½ ofa period of the harmonic of interest in a preferred embodiment. Thevariation of pulse width and the effects of energy transfer are furtherdescribed in the above referenced patent applications. Additionally,matched filter techniques can be incorporated with the present inventionto improve energy transfer to the frequency translated signal. Thesematched filter techniques include shaping the control signal to improveor optimize energy transfer from the input signal to the output signal,and is also discussed in the above referenced patent applications.

7.2 Specific Phase Shifter Embodiments Using a UFT Module

Various specific embodiments for implementing integrated frequencytranslation and phase shifting using a UFT module are discussed asfollows. These embodiments include but are not limited to the following:varying the DC bias of a local oscillator (LO) signal, delaying the LOsignal, and changing the shape of the LO signal. As will be shown, theLO signal triggers a pulse generator that generates a control signal,which controls the sampling of the UFT module. Each of these specificembodiments are discussed below.

7.2.1 Changing a Bias Voltage of the LO Signal

FIG. 26A illustrates an integrated frequency translator/phase-shifter2602 according to embodiments of the invention. Frequency translator2602 includes a UFT module 2608, a pulse generator 2610, a localoscillator 2612, a capacitor 2614, and an optional inductor 2618.Translator/shifter 2602 translates and phase shifts the input signal2604 to generate the output signal 2606. The frequency translation andphase shift occur in an integrated (or unified, combined, simultaneous,etc.) manner, where the amount of relative phase shift is based on therelative bias voltage 2616.

Frequency translator 2602 performs frequency translation because of theperiodic undersampling performed by the UFT module 2608. Frequencytranslator 2602 simultaneously implements a phase shift because the biasvoltage 2616 changes the DC offset of the LO signal that triggers thepulse generator 2610. As will be shown, the bias voltage 2616 causes thepulse generator to trigger earlier (or later) in time relative to areference bias voltage (e.g. 0 volts). In turn, this causes the UFTmodule 2608 to sample the input signal earlier (or later) in time,relative to the reference bias voltage. Since time is proportional tophase shift for electromagnetic signals, the variations in sampling timeby the UFT module causes a phase shift in the output signal 2606.

The frequency translator 2602 is described in detail as follows withreference to an operational flowchart 2650 that is shown in FIG. 26B.The discussion is applicable to both down-conversion and up-conversion.For down-conversion, the EM input signal is down-converted to basebandor an IF frequency. For up-conversion, the EM input signal isup-converted to a harmonic of the LO frequency. Specific embodimentsthat are directed to down-conversion and up-conversion will be discussedafter the general frequency translation embodiment.

In step 2652, the UFT module 2608 receives the EM input signal.

In step 2654, the oscillator 2612 generates a LO signal 2613. LO signal2613 is preferably (but not limited to) a sinewave having a frequencythat is sub-harmonic relative to the input signal 2604 or the outputsignal 2606. More specifically, for down-conversion to baseband, the LOsignal 2613 is preferably a sub-harmonic of the input signal 2604. Fordown-conversion to an IF frequency, the LO signal 2613 is preferablyoffset from a sub-harmonic of the input signal 2604. For up-conversion,the LO signal 2613 is preferably a sub-harmonic of the desired frequencyof the output signal 2606. As stated, the LO signal 2613 is preferably asinewave. However, other known waveforms could be used includingtriangle waves, square waves, etc.

In step 2656, the summing node 2615 adds a bias voltage 2616 to the LOsignal 2613 to generate a biased LO signal 2611. Bias voltage 2616 ispreferably a variable DC voltage so that it can be changed to implementany desired relative phase shift. As such, the bias voltage 2616level-shifts the LO signal 2613 up or down in voltage. The capacitor2614 prevents the voltage 2616 from shorting to the oscillator 2612.Optional choke inductor 2618 prevents the LO signal 2611 from shortingto RF ground at the terminal 2619.

FIGS. 27A-C further illustrate the effect of the bias voltage 2616 onthe biased LO signal 2611. FIG. 27A illustrates a biased LO signal 2704as an example of biased LO signal 2611 when the bias voltage 2616 is 0volts. FIG. 27B illustrates a biased LO signal 2706 as an example of thebiased LO signal 2611 when the bias voltage is +A volts. FIG. 27Cillustrates a biased LO voltage 2708 as an example of the biased LOsignal 2611 when the bias voltage is −A volts. As illustrated bycomparing FIGS. 27A-C, the biased LO voltage 2611 is level shifted up(or down) based on the DC bias 2616. For example, biased LO signal 2706(in FIG. 27B) is shifted up compared to biased LO signal 2704 (FIG.27A). Biased LO signal 2708 (FIG. 27C) is shifted down compared tobiased LO signal 2704 (FIG. 27A).

In step 2658, the pulse generator 2610 generates a control signal 2607according to the biased LO signal 2611, where the control signal 2607includes a plurality of pulses 2620. Pulse generator 2610 triggers andproduces a pulse 2620 when the biased LO signal 2611 exceeds a thresholdvoltage (or trigger voltage), as represented by a threshold voltage 2702in FIGS. 27A-C. By varying the DC level of the biased LO signal 2611,the pulse generator 2610 triggers earlier (or later) in time relative tothe 0 volt bias condition. Therefore, the pulses 2620 of the controlsignal 2607 can be phase-shifted (in time) by varying the bias voltage2616. This is further illustrated by FIGS. 27D-F that are discussedbelow. In embodiments of the invention, the plurality of pulses 2620have pulse widths that tend away from zero, as represented by pulsewidth 2716 that is shown in FIGS. 27D-F.

FIGS. 27D-F further illustrate phase shifting of the control signal 2607by varying the bias voltage of the LO signal. FIGS. 27D-F depictexemplary control signals 2710-2714 that correspond to the exemplarybiased LO signals 2704-2708 (of FIGS. 27A-C), respectively. As such,control signal 2710 in FIG. 27D is a reference control signal since thebias voltage in FIG. 27A is 0 volts. Control signal 2712 in FIG. 27Eleads the control signal 2710, as the corresponding biased LO signal2706 is positively biased (by +A volts) relative to the biased LO 2704.Therefore, the biased LO signal 2706 crosses the threshold voltage 2702before biased LO signal 2704, and causes the pulse generator 2610 totrigger and generate a pulse before the biased LO signal 2704. Controlsignal 2714 in FIG. 27F lags control signals 2710 (and also the controlsignal 2712) because the corresponding biased LO signal 2708 isnegatively biased relative to the biased LO signal 2704. Therefore, thebiased LO signal 2708 crosses the threshold voltage 2702 after the LObias signal 2704, and causes the pulse generator 2610 to trigger laterin time relative to that for the control signal 2704.

Returning to flowchart 2650, in step 2660, the UFT module 2608 samplesthe input signal 2604 according to the control signal 2607. Morespecifically, a controlled switch 2609 in the UFT module samples theinput signal 2604 according to the control signal 2607, to generate thephase shifted and frequency translated output signal 2606. The frequencytranslation occurs because the UFT module sub-harmonically samples theinput signal in a periodic manner, resulting in harmonic images of theinput signal that repeat at harmonic of the sampling frequency.Frequency translation by a UFT module has been described herein and inthe above referenced patent applications, to which the reader isreferred for further details. The phase shift occurs because any biasvoltage variation causes the pulse generator 2610 to trigger earlier (orlater) than nominal, which produces a time/phase shift in the pulses ofcontrol signal 2607 (relative to a reference bias condition), asillustrated in FIGS. 27D-F. By phase shifting the pulses in the controlsignal 2607, the controlled switch 2610 samples the input signal 2604earlier (or later) in time relative to the nominal condition. In otherwords, a phase shifted-control signal 2607 causes a shift in the UFTsampling time, which results in a relative phase shift in the outputsignal 2606.

In embodiments of the invention, the pulse widths (also calledapertures) of the pulses 2620 tend away from zero so that non-negligibleamounts of energy are transferred from the input signal to the outputsignal during sampling in step 2660. During down-conversion, forexample, the pulse widths can be approximately 1/10, ¼, ½, etc., or anyother fraction of the period of the EM input signal. Alternatively fordown-conversion, the pulse widths can be approximately equal to one ormore periods of the EM input signal plus 1/10, ¼, ½, etc., or any otherfraction of a period of the EM signal. In a preferred embodiment fordown-conversion, the pulse width is approximately ½ of a period of theEM input signal. During up-conversion, the pulse widths can beapproximately 1/10, ¼, ½, etc., or any other fraction of the period ofthe EM output signal. In a preferred embodiment for up-conversion, thepulse width is approximately ½ of a period associated with the EM outputsignal. The pulse widths of the pulses 2620 can be further optimizedbased on one or more of a variety of criteria. Exemplary systems andmethods for generating and optimizing the control signal 2607 (andpulses 2620) for both down-conversion and up-conversion are disclosed inthe above referenced patent applications.

In step 2662, the bias voltage 2616 is varied, which phase shifts thepulses of the control signal 2607 as described, and thereby varies therelative phase shift of the output signal 2606.

FIGS. 28A-28B further illustrates phase shifting by changing thesampling time of the UFT module using a variable bias voltage. FIG. 28Adepicts an exemplary LO signal 2804 that is the 10th sub-harmonic of anexemplary input signal 2802. (This discussion presumes the input signal2802 is an RF input signal that is to be down-converted, but thediscussion is applicable to up-conversion as well.) Therefore, there areexactly 10 cycles of input signal 2802 in the period of the LO signal2804. As stated earlier, the pulse generator 2610 triggers and generatesa pulse when the voltage level of the biased LO signal 2611 crosses thethreshold voltage for the pulse generator 2610. The pulse generator 2610preferably triggers only on the rising edge (or voltage) of the LOsignal 2804, and not the falling edge. In FIG. 28A, the thresholdvoltage of the pulse generator 2610 is depicted as threshold 2806. Assuch, the pulse generator 2610 triggers at the timepoint 2810 becausethat is when the LO signal 2804 crosses the threshold 2806 on the risingedge. As such, the UFT module 2608 samples the input RF signal 2802 atthe timepoint 2810.

The effect of varying the bias voltage of the LO signal on the samplingpoint will now be explored. As stated, the pulse generator 2610preferably triggers only for rising voltages. As such, ½ the period ofthe LO cycle (T_(O)/2 in FIG. 28A) is useful for sampling the inputsignal 2802 using the UFT module 2608. Therefore, T_(O)/2 of the LOcycle can be shifted in voltage to change the sampling time of the RFinput signal 2802. This is further illustrated in FIG. 28B, whichdepicts three different biased LO signals 2804 a-c and the RF inputsignal 2802 (from FIG. 28A). LO signals 2804 a-c have three differentbias voltages where LO signal 2804 b has a higher bias voltage than LOsignal 2804 a, and LO signal 2804 c has a higher bias voltage than LOsignal 2804 b. As shown in FIG. 28B, the biased LO signals 2804 a-ccross the threshold voltage 2806 at different points in time due totheir differing bias voltages. Since, the pulse generator 2610 triggerswhen the LO signal 2804 crosses the threshold voltage, the RF inputsignal 2802 is sampled at different points in time based on the biasvoltage. By sampling the RF signal at different time points based onbias voltage, an equivalent phase shift is implemented in the frequencytranslated output signal. In other words, the sampling point can be seento “walk though” the RF signal input 2802 as the bias voltage is varied,which results in the phase shift in output signal.

As stated above, the FIGS. 28A-28B depict exactly 10 cycles of the inputsignal 2802 within the full period T_(O) of the LO signal 2804.Therefore, exactly 5 cycles of the input signal 2802 fall within therising edge window (T_(O)/2) of the LO signal 2804 that is useful fortriggering the pulse generator 2610. In this example, since the risingedge window (T_(O)/2) can be shifted through the 5 RF cycles, a phaseshift of 5*360 degrees=1800 degrees can be implemented by shifting theLO signal 2804 through an entire voltage range. In other words, if thebias voltage is set so the bottom of the LO signal 2804 sinewave crossesthe threshold 2806, and then the bias voltage is adjusted so that thetop of the LO signal 2804 sinewave crosses the threshold 2806, then theRF input signal 2802 will be sampled over a range of 1800 degrees.

As mentioned above, the discussion relating to FIGS. 28A-28B correspondsto a pulse generator that triggers on the rising edge of the biased LOsignal. However, the invention is not limited to rising edgeembodiments. Those skilled in the arts will recognize how to implementfalling edge embodiments based on the discussion herein. These fallingedge embodiments are within the scope and spirit of the presentinvention.

Furthermore, the discussion relating to FIGS. 28A-28B corresponds to aphase shifter where the biased LO signal had a characteristic frequencythat is the 10^(th) subharmonic of the RF input signal. Other harmonicratios could be utilized, as this discussion was for example purposesonly. Additionally, the biased LO signal could have a frequency that isoffset from a subharmonic of the RF input signal, as is used in IFdown-conversion embodiments.

Furthermore, FIG. 28A-B depict the RF input signal 2802 as being biasedat the threshold voltage 2806, and therefore symmetrical with thethreshold voltage 2806. This is for convenience of illustration only.The invention is not limited to this configuration, as the RF inputsignal 2802 could be biased above or below the threshold voltage 2802,as will be understood by those skilled in the arts based on thediscussion herein.

FIG. 29 illustrates an experimental result of the phase (or phase shift)at which the RF input signal 2604 (in FIG. 26A) is sampled (in adown-conversion embodiment) vs. the bias voltage 2616, where the biasvoltage is steadily increasing in a (voltage) ramp fashion. FIG. 29 ismeant for example purposes only, and is not meant to be limiting. InFIG. 29, the phase shift (or phase at which the RF is sampled) isrepresented by a curve 2902, and the bias voltage is represented by aramp 2904. These experimental results are for an RF input signal 2604 of915 MHZ, and a LO signal 2613 of 91.5 MHZ, so that the LO signal 2613 isthe 10th subharmonic of the RF input signal. The LO signal in FIG. 29 isfixed with an amplitude of 1.415 volts peak-to-peak. FIG. 29 shows thatthe input signal is sampled over 1800 degrees or 5 RF cycles, similar tothat described above. The resulting phase shift curve 2902 issinusoidal, with a varying frequency over the life of the sinewave andthe ramp voltage 2904.

FIGS. 30A-D illustrates graphs similar to that of FIG. 29, in that theydepict the phase at which the RF input signal 2604 is sampled vs. biasvoltage 2616, where the bias voltage is steadily increasing in a ramplike fashion. However, FIGS. 30A-D depict phase shift vs. bias voltagefor varying LO signal amplitude. More specifically, the LO signalamplitude is varied from 0.502 V_(p-p) to 1.415 V_(p-p) in FIG. 30A-30D.As, shown, the curves in FIGS. 30A-D stretch in the “x” (or horizontal)direction with increasing LO signal amplitude. As such, relatively morephase shift verses a unit change in bias voltage is achieved for smallerLO signal amplitude. In other words, there is more phase shift“leverage” or sensitivity for smaller LO signal amplitudes than forlarger LO signal amplitudes, per a unit change in bias voltage. FIGS.30A-D are meant for example purposes only, and are not meant to belimiting.

As stated above, the phase-shifter/frequency translator 2602 and therelated discussion is applicable to both up-conversion anddown-conversion. Specific embodiments for down-conversion andup-conversion are discussed as follows.

7.2.1.1 Down-Conversion

FIG. 31A depicts a down-converter/phase-shifter 3104 for down-convertingand phase shifting an EM input signal 3102 to adown-converted/phase-shifted signal 3106 according to an embodiment ofthe invention. Down-converter/phase shifter 3104 operates similar tofrequency translator 2602 (FIG. 26A) that was described above. As such,the down-converter 3104 performs frequency down-conversion of the EMinput signal 3102 by sampling the EM input signal 3102 according theperiodic control signal 2607, resulting in undersamples 3107 that carryenergy or charge from the EM input signal 3102.Down-converter/phase-shifter 3104 includes a storage module 3108 thatstores (and integrates) the undersamples 3107. In embodiments, thestorage module 3108 is a capacitor 3109, as shown. The charge storedduring successive undersamples of the EM input signal 3102, forms thedown-converted signal 3106. A relative phase shift is introduced in thedown-converted signal 3106 by varying the bias voltage 2616, so that thepulses 2620 in the control signal 2607 are triggered earlier (or later)relative to a nominal sampling time.

In embodiments, the down-converter/phase-shifter 3104 is furtherdescribed with reference to the flowchart 3150 that is shown in FIG.31B, which is described as follows.

In step 3152, the UFT module 2608 receives the EM input signal 3102 thatis to be down-converted.

In step 3154, the oscillator 2612 generates a LO signal 2613. LO signal2613 is preferably (but not limited to) a sinewave having a frequencythat is sub-harmonic of the EM input signal 3102. For down-conversion tobaseband, the LO signal 2613 is preferably a sub-harmonic of the EMinput signal 3102. For down-conversion to an IF frequency, the LO signal2613 can be offset from a sub-harmonic of the EM input signal 3102according to the equation:

Freq_(LO)=(Freq_(input)+/−Freq_(IF))/n

where:

Freq_(LO)=frequency of the local oscillator

Freq_(input)=frequency of the EM input signal

Freq_(IF)=frequency of an IF output signal (could be baseband)

n=harmonic number

As stated, the LO signal 2613 is preferably a sinewave. However, otherknown waveforms could be used including triangle waves, square waves,etc.

In step 3156, the summing node 2615 adds the bias voltage 2616 to the LOsignal 2613 to generate the biased LO signal 2611. In other words, theLO signal 2613 is level-shifted according to the bias voltage 2616,resulting in the biased LO signal 2611. Bias voltage 2616 is preferablya variable DC voltage so that it can be changed to implement any desiredrelative phase shift. As such, the bias voltage 2616 shifts the LOsignal 2613 up or down in voltage. The capacitor 2614 prevents thevoltage 2616 from shorting to the oscillator 2612. Optional chokeinductor 2618 prevents the LO signal 2611 from shorting to RF ground atthe terminal 2619.

In step 3158, the pulse generator 2610 generates the control signal 2607according to the biased LO signal 2611, where the control signal 2607includes a plurality of pulses 2620. In doing so, the pulse generator2610 triggers and produces a pulse 2620 when the biased LO signal 2611exceeds a threshold voltage (or trigger voltage), as represented by athreshold voltage 2702 in FIGS. 27A-C.

In down-conversion embodiments, the pulse width of the pulses 2620 inthe control signal 2607 are a non-negligible fraction of a periodassociated with the EM input signal 3102 that is to be down-converted.For example and without limitation, the pulse-widths of the pulses 2620can be approximately 1/10, ¼, ½, ¾, etc., or any other fraction of aperiod of the EM input signal 3102. In an embodiment, a pulse width ofapproximately ½ of a period of the EM input signal 3102 is desirable.

In step 3160, the UFT module 2608 samples the EM input signal 3102according to the control signal 2607. More specifically, the switch 2609closes during the pulses 2620 of the control signal 2607, resulting inthe undersamples 3107. During sampling, non-negligible amounts of energyare transferred from the EM input signal 3102 to the undersamples 3107.This occurs because the pulse-widths of the control signal 2607 arewidened to extend the time that the switch 2609 is closed duringindividual samples, resulting in increased energy transfer.Additionally, input and output impedances of the UFT module are reducedby widening the sampling pulse.

In step 3162, the storage module 3108 stores and integrates successiveundersamples 3107, resulting in the down-converted signal 3106. Inembodiments, the capacitor 3109 integrates the charge associated withsuccessive undersamples 3107, resulting in the down-converted signal3106. A relative phase shift is introduced in the down-converted signal3106 by varying the bias voltage 2616. As described above, any variationin the bias voltage 2616 causes the pulse generator 2610 to triggerearlier (or later) relative to nominal, thereby phase shifting thepulses 2620 in the control signal 2607. Since the pulses 2620 determinethe sampling time of the EM input signal 3102, a phase-shift isintroduced in the down-converted output signal 3106, relative to thenominal or reference bias voltage.

In step 3164, the bias voltage 2616 is optionally varied, which phaseshifts the pulses of the control signal 2607, and thereby varies therelative phase shift of the down-converted output signal 3106.

Down-conversion utilizing a UFT module (also called an aliasing module)is further described in a number of the above referenced applications,such as “Method and System for Down-converting Electromagnetic Signals,”Ser. No. 09/176,022, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,551. As discussed hereinand in the '551 patent, the pulse widths of the control signal 2607 canbe adjusted to increase and/or optimize the energy transfer to thedown-converted output signal 3106. Additionally, matched filterprinciples can be implemented to shape the sampling pulses and furtherimprove energy transfer to the down-converted output signal 3106, asfurther described in a number of the above referenced applications, suchas U.S. patent application titled, “Matched Filter Characterization andImplementation of Universal Frequency Translation Method and Apparatus,”Ser. No. 09/521,828, filed on Mar. 9, 2000. A summary of matched filterprinciples utilized during down-conversion is illustrated in FIG. 31C,and is described as follows.

In embodiments, the flowchart 3170 in FIG. 31C further describes thedown-converter/phase shifter 3104 according to matched filterprinciples. The steps 3152-3158 and step 3164 are the same as inflowchart 3150 of FIG. 31B, and are not repeated here for convenience.

In step 3172, a matched filtering/correlating operation is performed onan approximate half-cycle of the EM input signal 3102, based on thecontrol signal 2607.

In step 3174, the result of the matched filtering/correlation operationin step 3172 is accumulated. Down-conversion utilizing matched filterprinciples is further described in co-pending U.S. patent applicationtitled, “Matched Filter Characterization and Implementation of UniversalFrequency Translation Method and Apparatus,” Ser. No. 09/521,828, filedon Mar. 9, 2000.

7.2.1.2 Up-Conversion

FIG. 32A depicts an up-converter/phase-shifter 3204 for up-convertingand phase shifting an input signal 3202, to generate an up-converted andphase shifted signal 3206 according to an embodiment of the invention.Up-converter/phase-shifter 3204 includes a bandpass filter 3208 inaddition to the components identified in the frequency translator 2602.The bandpass filter 3208 selects the harmonic of interest from aharmonically rich signal 3209 that is generated by the UFT module 2608.The harmonically rich signal 3209 contains multiple harmonic images thatrepeat at harmonics of the sampling frequency as determined by the LOsignal. Each harmonic includes the necessary amplitude, phase, andfrequency information to reconstruct the input signal 3202. Inembodiments, the pulse widths for the control signal 2607 are adjustedto shift energy among the harmonics that make-up the harmonically richsignal 3209.

In embodiments, the up-converter/phase shifter 3204 is further describedwith reference to the flowchart 3250 that is shown in FIG. 32B, which isdescribed as follows.

In step 3252, the UFT module 2608 receives the EM input signal 3102,which is preferably a baseband signal or lower frequency signal that isto be up-converted.

In step 3254, the oscillator 2612 generates a LO signal 2613. LO signal2613 is preferably (but not limited to) a sinewave having a frequencythat is sub-harmonic of the desired frequency of the up-converted outputsignal 3206. As stated, the LO signal 2613 is preferably a sinewave.However, other known waveforms could be used including triangle waves,square waves, etc.

In step 3256, the summing node 2615 adds the bias voltage 2616 to the LOsignal 2613 to generate the biased LO signal 2611. In other words, theLO signal 2613 is level-shifted according to the bias voltage 2616,resulting in the biased LO signal 2611. Bias voltage 2616 is preferablya variable DC voltage so that it can be changed to implement any desiredrelative phase shift. As such, the bias voltage 2616 shifts the LOsignal 2613 up or down in voltage. The capacitor 2614 prevents thevoltage 2616 from shorting to the oscillator 2612. Optional chokeinductor 2618 prevents the LO signal 2611 from shorting to RF ground atthe terminal 2619.

In step 3258, the pulse generator 2610 generates the control signal 2607according to the biased LO signal 2611, where the control signal 2607includes a plurality of pulses 2620. In doing so, the pulse generator2610 triggers and produces a pulse 2620 when the biased LO signal 2611exceeds a threshold voltage (or trigger voltage) associated with thepulse generator, as represented by a threshold voltage 2702 in FIGS.27A-C.

In up-conversion embodiments, the pulse width of the pulses in thecontrol signal 2607 are a non-negligible fraction of a period associatedwith the up-converted EM output signal 3206. For example and withoutlimitation, the pulse-widths of the control signal 2607 can beapproximately 1/10, ¼, ½, ¾, etc., or any other fraction of a period ofthe up-converted EM output signal 3206, or one or more periods plus afraction of a period. In an embodiment, a pulse width of approximately ½of a period of the EM output signal 3206 is desirable.

In step 3260, the UFT module 2608 samples the EM input signal 3202,according to the control signal 2607. More specifically, the switch 2609closes during the pulses 2620 of the control signal 2607, so that theperiodic sampling produces a harmonically rich signal 3209. Theharmonically rich signal 3209 includes multiple harmonic images thatrepeat at harmonics of the sampling frequency f_(S), which is thefrequency of the pulses 2620 of the control signal 2607. FIG. 32Cillustrates an exemplary frequency spectrum of the harmonically richsignal 3209 having harmonics 3266 a-n that repeat at harmonics of thesampling frequency f_(S). Each harmonic 3266 in the harmonically richsignal 3209 includes the necessary amplitude, phase, and frequencyinformation to reconstruct the input signal 3202. A relative phase shiftis introduced in the harmonics 3266 by varying the bias voltage 2616, sothat pulses 2620 in the control signal 2607 are triggered earlier (orlater) relative to a nominal sampling time. Since the pulses 2620determine the sampling time of the EM input signal 3202, a phase-shiftis introduced in the harmonics 3266, relative to the nominal orreference bias voltage.

In embodiments of the invention, the pulse width of the pulses 2620 areestablished to shift energy among the various harmonics 3266 of theharmonically rich signal 3209. Generally, shorter pulse widths shiftmore energy into the higher frequency harmonics, and longer pulse widthsshift energy into the lower frequency harmonics. In embodiments, thepulse width is approximately ½ a period of a harmonic frequency ofinterest. In other words, the pulse width of the control signal 2607 isestablished to be approximately π radians at the harmonic frequency ofinterest.

In step 3262, the filter 3208 selects the harmonic of interest from theharmonically rich signal 3209. In FIG. 32C, this is represented by apassband 3268 that selects the harmonic 3266 c as the up-convertedoutput signal 3206.

In step 3264, the bias voltage 2616 is optionally varied, which phaseshifts the pulses of the control signal 2607, and thereby varies therelative phase shift of the up-converted output signal 3206.

Up-conversion of an input signal using a UFT module is further describedin the above cited applications, such as “Method and System forFrequency Up-Conversion,” application Ser. No. 09/176,154 AttorneyDocket Number 1744.0020000.

7.2.2 Changing the Delay of the LO Signal

As described above, the UFT module can be configured to provideintegrated frequency translation and phase shifting by varying thesampling time that the UFT module samples the input signal. In section7.2.1, this was accomplished by varying the bias voltage of the LOsignal that triggers the pulse generator so that the pulse generatortriggers earlier (or later) in time relative to a reference biasvoltage. Alternatively, the LO signal that drives the pulse generatorcan be delayed by a variable amount to achieve the same effect ofchanging the UFT sampling time.

FIG. 33A illustrates an integrated frequency translator/phase-shifter3304, according to an embodiment of the invention. Frequencytranslator/phase-shifter 3304 includes: a UFT module 3308 having acontrolled switch 3310, a pulse generator 3312, a delay 3314, and alocal oscillator 3316. Translator/shifter 3304 translates and phaseshifts the input signal 3302 to generate a frequency translated andphase shifted output signal 3306. The frequency translation and phaseshift occur in an integrated manner, where the amount of relative phaseshift is based on the relative delay of the LO signal that drives thepulse generator 3312.

The frequency translator 3304 is described in detail as follows withreference to an operational flowchart 3350 that is shown in FIG. 33C.The discussion is applicable to both down-conversion and up-conversion.As mentioned earlier for down-conversion, the EM input signal 3202 canbe down-converted to baseband or down-converted to an IF signal,depending on the LO frequency. For up-conversion, the EM input signal isup-converted to a harmonic of the LO frequency. Specific embodimentsthat are directed to down-conversion and up-conversion will be describedafter the general frequency translation and phase-shift embodiment thatis described as follows.

In step 3352, the UFT module 3308 receives the EM input signal 3302.

In step 3354, the oscillator 3316 generates a LO signal 3317 that ispreferably sinusoidal. More specifically, for down-conversion, the LOsignal 3317 is preferably a sub-harmonic (or offset thereof) of theinput signal. For up-conversion, the LO signal 3317 is preferably asub-harmonic of the output signal 3306. As stated, the LO signal 3317 ispreferably a sinewave. However, other known waveforms could be usedincluding triangle waves, square waves, etc.

In step 3356, the delay 3314 implements a variable time delay for the LOsignal 3317, resulting in a LO signal 3319. The amount of delay that isimplemented by the delay 3314 is determined according to the delaycontrol 3320. Various types of tunable delays can used as will beunderstood by those skilled in the arts, including switchable delaylines, op-amp buffers, allpass filters, etc.

In step 3358, the pulse generator 3312 generates the control signal 3311according to the delayed LO signal 3319, where the control signal 3311includes a plurality of pulses 3318. The pulse generator 3312 triggersand produces a pulse 3318 when the delayed LO signal 3319 exceeds athreshold voltage that is associated with the pulse generator 3312. Inembodiments of the invention, the plurality of pulses 2620 have pulsewidths that tend away from zero, and cause non-negligible amounts ofenergy to be transferred from the input signal 2604 to the output signal2606, as discussed above and in the above referenced patentapplications.

In step 3360, the UFT module 3308 samples the input signal 3302according to the control signal 3311. More specifically, the controlledswitch 3310 in the UFT module samples the input signal 3302 according tothe control signal 3311, resulting in the phase shifted and frequencytranslated output signal 3306. The frequency translation occurs becausethe UFT module sub-harmonically samples the input signal in a periodicmanner, resulting in harmonic images of the input signal that repeat atharmonics of the sampling frequency. As mentioned above, frequencytranslation by a UFT module has been described herein and in the abovereferenced patent applications, to which the reader is referred forfurther details. The phase shift occurs because any relative delay inthe LO signal 3319 causes the pulse generator 3312 to trigger earlier(or later) than nominal, which produces a time/phase shift in the pulsesof control signal 3311. By phase shifting the pulses in the controlsignal 3311, the controlled switch 3310 samples the input signal 3302earlier (or later) in time relative to the nominal condition. In otherwords, a phase shifted-control signal 3311 causes a shift in the UFTsampling time, which results in a relative phase shift in the outputsignal 3306.

In step 3362, the delay of the LO signal 3319 is varied according to thedelay control 3320. This phase shifts the pulses in the control signal3311, and thereby varies the relative phase shift of the output signal3306. Phase shifting the output signal 3306 by adjusting the delay onthe LO signal 3319 is discussed further in reference to FIG. 33B.

FIG. 33B illustrates an exemplary RF input signal 3302 and exemplarydelayed LO signals 3319 a-n, where each LO signal 3319 has an increasingtime delay as shown. The exemplary RF input 3302 is a 10^(th) harmonicof the LO signal 3317 (and the delayed LO signals 3319 a-n.) Therefore,there are 5 RF cycles within ½ period (T_(O)/2) of the LO signal, asillustrated. (Other harmonic ratios could be utilized as will beunderstood by those skilled in the arts.) FIG. 33B also illustrates athreshold 3322 for the pulse generator 3312, where the pulse generator3312 triggers when the LO signal crosses the threshold 3322. Asillustrated, the various delayed LO signals 3319 a-n cross the threshold3322 at different points in time, and thereby trigger the pulsegenerator 3312 at different points in time, causing a relative phaseshift in the pulses 3318 of the control signal 3311. The phase-shiftedcontrol signal 3311 causes the RF input signal 3302 to be sampled atdifferent time points, and thereby implements the desired phase shift inthe frequency translated output signal 3306. In other words, thesampling point can be seen to “walk through” the RF input signal 3302,which results in a phase shift in the output signal 3306.

Additionally, unlike the phase shifter 2602 (in FIG. 26), the phaseshifter 3302 is not limited to ½ of the LO cycle for triggering thepulse generator 3312. This is illustrated by LO signals 3319 a and 3319n, which are outside the T_(O)/2 LO window. The ½ cycle limitation isremoved because the delay 3314 is used to adjust the LO signal 3317instead of a voltage level shift. The result is that there is no limiton the useful range of the LO signal that can be used to trigger thepulse generator 3312, and therefore there is no limit on the phase shiftthat can be achieved. For example and without limitation, the delaycould be 27 RF cycles (which is 2.7 LO cycles when the RF is the 10^(th)harmonic of the LO signal), resulting in an exemplary phase shift of9720 degrees.

FIG. 33D illustrates a frequency translator/phase shifter 3370, wherethe variable delay 3314 is placed between the pulse generator 3312 andthe UFT module 3308, instead of between the UFT module 3308 and the LO3316. Therefore, the variable delay is directly applied to the pulses3318, instead of through the LO signal 3319.

7.2.2.1 Down-Conversion

FIG. 34A depicts a down-converter/phase-shifter 3404 as an embodiment ofthe frequency translator/phase-shifter 3304.Down-converter/phase-shifter 3404 down-converts and phase shifts aninput signal 3402 to a down-converted/phase shifted signal 3406.Down-converter/phase-shifter 3404 includes a storage module 3408 inaddition to the components discussed in the frequency translator 3304.In embodiments, the storage module 3408 is a capacitor 3409 thatstores/integrates energy transferred from the input signal 3402 whenbeing sampled by the UFT module 3308.

In embodiments, the down-converter/phase-shifter 3404 is furtherdescribed with reference to the flowchart 3450 that is shown in FIG.34B, which is described as follows.

In step 3452, the UFT module 3308 receives the EM input signal 3402 thatis to be down-converted.

In step 3454, the oscillator 3316 generates a LO signal 3317. LO signal3317 is preferably a sinewave having a frequency that is a sub-harmonic(or offset thereof) of the EM input signal 3402. For down-conversion tobaseband, the LO signal 3317 is preferably a sub-harmonic of the EMinput signal 3402. For down-conversion to an IF frequency, the LO signal3317 can be offset from a sub-harmonic of the EM input signal 3402according to the equation:

Freq_(LO)=(Freq_(input)+/−Freq_(IF))/n

where:

Freq_(LO)=frequency of the local oscillator

Freq_(input)=frequency of the EM input signal

Freq_(IF)=frequency of an IF output signal

n=harmonic number

As stated, the LO signal 3317 is preferably a sinewave. However, otherknown waveforms could be used including triangle waves, square waves,etc.

In step 3456, the delay 3314 implements a variable time delay of the LOsignal 3317, resulting in the delayed LO signal 3319. The amount ofdelay that is implemented by the delay 3314 is determined according tothe delay control 3320. Various types of delays can used as will beunderstood by those skilled in the arts, including switchable delaylines, op-amp buffers, allpass filters, etc.

In step 3458, the pulse generator 3312 generates the control signal 3311according to the LO signal 3319, where the control signal 3311 includesa plurality of pulses 3318. In doing so, the pulse generator 3312triggers and produces a pulse 3318 when the delayed LO signal 3319exceeds a threshold voltage (or trigger voltage), as represented by athreshold voltage 3322 in FIG. 33B.

In down-conversion embodiments, the pulse width of the pulses 3318 inthe control signal 3311 are a non-negligible fraction of a periodassociated with the EM input signal 3402 that is to be down-converted.For example and without limitation, the pulse-widths of the pulses 3318can be approximately 1/10, ¼, ½, ¾, etc., or any other fraction of aperiod of the EM input signal 3402 or one or more periods plus afraction of a period. In an embodiment, a pulse width of approximately ½of a period of the EM input signal 3402 is desirable.

In step 3460, the UFT module 3308 samples the EM input signal 3402according to the control signal 3311. More specifically, the switch 3310closes during the pulses 3318 of the control signal 3311, resulting inundersamples 3407. During sampling, in embodiments, non-negligibleamounts of energy are transferred from the EM input signal 3402 to theundersamples 3407. This occurs because the pulse-widths of the pulses3318 are widened to extend the time that the switch 3310 is closedduring individual samples, resulting in increased energy transfer fromthe input signal 3402 to the undersamples 3407. Additionally, input andoutput impedances of the UFT module 3308 are reduced by widening thesampling pulse.

In step 3462, the storage module 3408 stores and integrates successiveundersamples 3407, resulting in the down-converted signal 3406. Inembodiments, the capacitor 3409 integrates the charge associated withsuccessive undersamples 3407, resulting in the down-converted signal3406. A relative phase shift is introduced in the down-converted signal3406 by varying the delay 3314, according to the delay control 3320. Asdescribed above, changing the delay of the LO signal 3319 causes thepulse generator 3312 to trigger earlier (or later) compared to areference delay, thereby phase shifting the pulses 3318 in the controlsignal 3311. Since the pulses 3318 determine the sampling time of the EMinput signal 3402, a phase-shift is introduced in the down-convertedoutput signal 3406, relative to a nominal or a reference delay.

In step 3464, the delay of the LO signal 3319 is varied according to thedelay control 3320. This phase shifts the pulses in the control signal3311, and thereby varies the relative phase shift of the output signal3406.

Down-conversion utilizing a UFT module (also called an aliasing module)is further described in a number of applications cited above, such as“Method and System for Down-converting Electromagnetic Signals,”application Ser. No. 09/176,022, Attorney Docket Number 1744.0010000,now U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,551. As discussed herein and in the '551 patent,the pulse widths of the control signal 3311 can be adjusted to increaseand/or optimize the energy transfer to the down-converted output signal3406. Additionally, matched filter principles can be implemented toshape the sampling pulses and further improve energy transfer to thedown-converted output signal 3406, as further described in co-pendingU.S. patent application titled, “Matched Filter Characterization andImplementation of Universal Frequency Translation Method and Apparatus,”Ser. No. 09/521,828, filed on Mar. 9, 2000.

7.2.2.2 Up-Conversion

FIG. 35A depicts an up-converter/phase-shifter 3504 as an exampleembodiment of the frequency translator/phase-shifter 3304.Up-converter/phase-shifter 3504 up-converts and phase shifts an inputsignal 3502 to generate up-converted and phase shifted output signal3506. Up-converter/phase-shifter 3504 includes a bandpass filter 3508 inaddition to the components identified for the up-converter/phase-shifter3304. The bandpass filter 3508 selects the harmonic of interest from aharmonically rich signal 3509 that is generated by the UFT module 3308.The harmonically rich signal 3509 contains multiple harmonic images thatrepeat at harmonics of the sampling frequency, as determined by the LOsignal 3317. Each harmonic includes the necessary amplitude, phase, andfrequency information to reconstruct the input signal 3502. Inembodiments, the pulse widths for the control signal 3311 are adjustedto shift energy among the harmonics that make-up the harmonically richsignal 3509.

In embodiments, the up-converter/phase shifter 3504 is further describedwith reference to the flowchart 3550 that is shown in FIG. 35B, which isdescribed as follows.

In step 3552, the UFT module 3308 receives the EM input signal 3502,which is preferably a baseband signal or lower frequency signal that isto be up-converted.

In step 3554, the oscillator 3316 generates a LO signal 3317. LO signal3317 is preferably a sinewave having a frequency that is sub-harmonic ofthe desired frequency of the up-converted output signal 3506. As stated,the LO signal 3317 is preferably a sinewave. However, other knownwaveforms could be used including triangle waves, square waves, etc.

In step 3556, the delay 3314 implements a variable time delay for the LOsignal 3317, resulting in a LO signal 3319. The amount of delay that isimplemented by the delay 3314 is determined according to the delaycontrol 3320. Various types of delays can used as will be understood bythose skilled in the arts, including switchable delay lines, op-ampbuffers, allpass filters, etc.

In step 3558, the pulse generator 3312 generates the control signal 3311according to the delayed LO signal 3319, where the control signal 3311includes a plurality of pulses 3318. In doing so, the pulse generator3312 triggers and produces a pulse 3318 when the delayed LO signal 3319exceeds a threshold voltage (or trigger voltage) associated with thepulse generator, as represented by a threshold voltage 3322 in FIG. 33B.

In up-conversion embodiments, the pulse width of the pulses in thecontrol signal 3311 are a non-negligible fraction of a period associatedwith the up-converted EM output signal 3506, or one or more periods plusa fraction of a period. For example and without limitation, thepulse-widths of the control signal 2607 can be approximately 1/10, ¼, ½,¾, etc., or any other fraction of a period of the up-converted EM outputsignal 3506. In an embodiment, a pulse width of approximately ½ of aperiod of the EM output signal 3506 is desirable.

In step 3560, the UFT module 3308 samples the EM input signal 3502,according to the control signal 3311. More specifically, the switch 3310closes during the pulses 3318 of the control signal 3311, so that theperiodic sampling produces a harmonically rich signal 3509. Theharmonically rich signal 3509 includes multiple harmonic images thatrepeat at harmonics of the sampling frequency f_(S), which is thefrequency of the pulses 3318 of the control signal 3311. FIG. 35Cillustrates an exemplary frequency spectrum of the harmonically richsignal 3509 having harmonics 3566 a-n that repeat at harmonics of thesampling frequency f_(S). Each harmonic 3566 in the harmonically richsignal 3509 includes the necessary amplitude, phase, and frequencyinformation to reconstruct the input signal 3502. A relative phase shiftis introduced in each of the harmonics 3566 by varying the delay of theLO signal 3319, so that pulses 3318 in the control signal 3311 aretriggered earlier (or later) relative to a reference sampling time.Since the pulses 3318 determine the sampling time of the EM input signal3502, a phase-shift is introduced in the harmonics 3566, relative to areference amount of LO delay.

In embodiments of the invention, the pulse width of the pulses 3318 areestablished to shift energy among the various harmonics 3566 of theharmonically rich signal 3209. Generally, shorter pulse widths shiftmore energy into the higher frequency harmonics, and longer pulse widthsshift more energy into the lower frequency harmonics. In embodiments,the pulse width is approximately ½ a period of a harmonic frequency ofinterest. In other words, the pulse width is established to beapproximately π radians at the harmonic frequency of interest.

In step 3562, the filter 3508 selects the harmonic of interest from theharmonically rich signal 3509. In FIG. 32C, this is represented by apassband 3568 that selects the harmonic 3566 c as the up-convertedoutput signal 3506.

In step 3564, the delay of the LO signal 3319 is optionally variedaccording to the delay control 3320. This phase shifts the pulses of thecontrol signal 3311, and thereby varies the relative phase shift of theup-converted output signal 3506.

Up-conversion of an input signal using a UFT module is further describedin “Method and System for Frequency Up-Conversion,” application Ser. No.09/176,154 Attorney Docket Number 1744.0020000.

7.2.2.3 Dual Feed Structure

FIG. 78A illustrates a frequency translator/phase-shifter 7800 that is asecond embodiment of frequency translation/phase shifting where theamount of phase shift is controlled by introducing a variable delay inthe pulses of a control signal that operate the UFT module.Phase-shifter 7800 translates and phase shifts the input signal 7802 togenerate a phase shifted output signal 7804. Phase-shifter 7800includes: UFT module 7803 and control signal generator 7806. Controlsignal generator 7806 is a dual feed structure that generates thecontrol signal 7805 according to the DC control voltages 7808 and 7816.Control signal generator 7806 includes: UFT module 7810, summer 7812,UFT module 7814, delay 7818, pulse generator 7820, and oscillator 7822.The UFT modules 7810 and 7814 are implemented as FET transistors 7809and 7815, respectively.

Phase-shifter 7800 operates similar to phase-shifter 3304 (FIG. 33A), inthat the UFT module 7803 samples the input signal 7802 according to acontrol signal 7805, resulting in a phase-shifted output signal 7804.The relative phase shift of the output signal 7804 is determined by therelative phase shift (or time shift) of pulses 7807 that comprise thecontrol signal 7805. This occurs because the pulses 7807 trigger thesampling of the input signal 7802 by the UFT module 7803. As discussedbelow, the relative time shift of the pulses 7807 in the control signal7805 are determined by the DC voltages 7808 and 7816.

Referring now to the control signal generator 7806, the oscillator 7822generates a clock signal 7821 that is a sub-harmonically related to theinput signal 7802 for down-conversion, or sub-harmonically related tothe output signal 7804 for up-conversion. Clock signal 7822 can be asine wave, a square wave, or another periodic waveform. Pulse generator7820 generates an I clock signal 7817 comprising a pulse train havingpulse width T_(A). The UFT module 7810 samples the DC voltage 7808according to the I clock signal 7817, resulting in an I control signal7811. More specifically, the FET 7809 conducts to sample the DC voltage7808 when triggered by the I clock signal 7817. The I control signal7811 comprises a plurality of pulses that are substantially similar infrequency and phase to the clock signal 7817.

Still referring to control signal generator 7806, the delay 7818 delaysthe I clock signal 7817 by 180 degrees at the frequency of oscillator7822 to generate a Q clock signal 7819. The UFT module 7814 samples theDC voltage 7816 according to the Q clock signal 7819 to generate a Qcontrol signal 7813. More specifically, the FET 7815 conducts to samplethe DC voltage 7816 according to the Q clock signal 7819.

The summer 7812 sums the signals 7811 and 7813 to generate the controlsignal 7805, that has frequency that is approximately 2× that of the Iclock signal 7817. In other words, the pulses 7807 have a frequency thatis 2× the frequency of the pulses in the I clock signal 7817.

In a reference scenario, both the DC voltages 7808 and 7816 areapproximately equivalent, and the FET 7815 triggers 180 degrees later intime than the FET 7809 because of the 180 degree delay 7818. However, ifthe DC voltages are different, then the FET 7809 and/or the FET 7815will trigger earlier (or later) in time than in the reference scenario,and thereby causing a phase shift in the control signal 7805. Thisoccurs because the DC voltages 7808 and 7816 are connected to the sourceof FETs 7809 and 7815, respectively. Therefore, a change in the DCvoltage 7808 alters the gate-to-source voltage for the FET 7809, andthereby cause the FET 7809 to trigger at a different time compared to areference V_(GS) for FET 7809. Likewise, a change in the DC voltage 7816will cause a change in the V_(GS) for the FET 7815, and thereby causethe FET 7815 to trigger at a different time compared to a referenceV_(GS).

FIGS. 78B-D depict example signal diagrams that further illustrate theoperation of the control signal generator 7806. FIGS. 78B-D are meantfor example purposes only, and are not meant to be limiting. FIG. 78Billustrates the master clock signal 7821 that is generated by theoscillator 7822. FIG. 78C illustrates an example of the control signal7805 for a reference scenario, where the DC voltage 7808 is equivalentto the DC voltage 7816 at time t₀. It is noted that the signal 7805 inFIG. 78C has a frequency of 2× that of the clock 7821, and has a pulsewidth of T_(A). FIG. 78D illustrates an example of the control signal7805 when the DC voltage 7808≠DC voltage 7816 at a time t₁. It is notedthat pulse 7832 in FIG. 78D triggers earlier than the correspondingpulse 7830 in FIG. 78C. In other words, the non-equivalence of the DCvoltages 7808 and 7816 at time t₁ causes the illustrated phase shift inthe pulse 7832 at time t₁. Therefore, the pulses 7807 in the controlsignal 7805 can be phase-shifted by adjusting DC control voltages 7808and 7816.

7.2.3 Changing the Shape or Phase of the LO Waveform

As described above, the UFT module can be configured to provideintegrated frequency translation and phase shifting by varying thesampling time that the UFT module samples the input signal. In section7.2.1, the LO signal that drives the pulse generator is level shiftedwith a bias voltage so that pulse generator triggers earlier or later intime relative to a reference bias voltage (e.g. 0 volts). In section7.2.2, the LO signal that drives the pulse generator is delayed by avariable amount to change the UFT sampling time. In another embodiment,the shape or form of the LO signal is changed so as to vary the phaseshift (or time shift) of the LO signal that triggers the pulsegenerator.

FIG. 36 illustrates an example frequency translator/phase-shifter 3604that contains a LO shape changer 3608. Frequencytranslator/phase-shifter 3604 is similar to translator 2602 (in FIG.26A). The difference being that the phase shift is implemented bychanging the shape of the LO signal 2613 using the shape changer 3608,resulting in a shaped LO signal 3610. Shape changer 3608 changes theshape of the LO signal 2613 by inverting, filtering, distorting, orpulse shaping the LO signal 2613. For example and without limitation,the sinewave LO signal 2613 could be converted into a saw-tooth wave ora square wave to vary the trigger time-point of the pulse generator 2610from nominal. It is noted that a saw-tooth wave has more phasecontrollability than a square wave because the saw-tooth wave has alonger rising edge linear region than a square wave. As discussed above,changing the trigger point of the pulse generator 2610 causes a phaseshift in the pulses 2620 of the control signal 2607. Phase shifting thepulses 2620 causes a variance in the sampling time by the UFT module2606, thereby causing a phase shift in the output signal 3606.

FIG. 79 illustrates a frequency translator/phase-shifter 7904 that is anembodiment of the frequency translator 3604. In frequency translator7904, the LO shape changer 3608 is embodied as a multi-pole switch 7908that selects among multiple oscillators 7910-7914, where each oscillatorgenerates a different type of periodic LO signal. More specifically,oscillator 7910 generates a square wave LO signal 7916. Oscillator 7912generates a sine wave LO signal 7918. Finally, the oscillator 7914generates a triangle wave LO signal 7920. The switch 7908 selects one ofthe oscillator signals 7916-7920, according to a switch control signal7922.

During operation, one of the signals 7916-7920 can be chosen as adefault reference for the LO signal 3610. For example and withoutlimitation, the sine wave signal 7918 can be chosen as a reference forthe LO signal 3610. The LO signal 3610 can then be shaped or modified bychanging the settings of the switch 7908 to one of the other signalchoices when a phase shift is desired. As mentioned above, changing theshape or form of the LO signal 3610 causes the pulse generator 2610 totrigger at different time point than nominal, and results in a phaseshift in the output signal 7906.

7.2.3.1 Down-Conversion

FIG. 37 depicts a down-converter/phase-shifter 3704 as an embodiment ofthe frequency translator/phase-shifter 3604.Down-converter/phase-shifter 3704 down-converts and phase shifts aninput signal 3702 to a down-converted/phase shifted signal 3706.Down-converter/phase-shifter 3704 includes a storage module 3708 inaddition to the components discussed in the frequency translator 3604.In embodiments, the storage module 3708 includes a capacitor 3708 thatstores/integrates the energy transferred from the input signal 3702 whenbeing sampled by the UFT module 2606. Down-conversion of an EM inputsignal using a UFT module (also called an aliasing module) is furtherdescribed in the above referenced applications, such as “Method andSystem for Down-converting Electromagnetic Signals,” application Ser.No. 09/176,022, Attorney Docket Number 1744.0010000, now U.S. Pat. No.6,061,551. As discussed in the '551 patent, the pulse widths of thecontrol signal can be adjusted to increase and/or maximize the energytransfer to the down-converted/phase shifted output signal 3706.Additionally, matched filter principles can utilized to further improveenergy transfer to the down-converted/phase-shifted output signal 3706.

7.2.3.2 Up-Conversion

FIG. 38 depicts an up-converter/phase-shifter 3804 as an exampleembodiment of the frequency translator/phase-shifter 3604.Up-converter/phase-shifter 3804 up-converts and phase shifts an inputsignal 3802 to generate up-converted and phase shifted signal 3806.Up-converter/phase-shifter 3804 includes a bandpass filter 3808 inaddition to the components identified for the frequencytranslator/phase-shifter 3604. The bandpass filter 3808 selects theharmonic of interest from a harmonically rich signal 3809 that isgenerated by the UFT module 2606. The harmonically rich signal 3809contains multiple harmonic images that repeat at the sampling frequencydetermined by the LO signal 2613. Each harmonic image in theharmonically rich signal 3809 contains the necessary amplitude, phase,and frequency information to reconstruct the baseband signal 3802.Up-conversion of an input signal using a UFT module is further describedin “Method and System for Frequency Up-Conversion,” application Ser. No.09/176,154 Attorney Docket Number 1744.0020000.

7.2.4 Phase Shifting Without Using a Pulse Generator

In the embodiments described in sections 7.2.1-7.2.3, the phase shiftingwas implemented by varying the trigger point (in time) of the pulsegenerator by manipulating the sinusoidal LO signal that drives the pulsegenerator. Alternatively, the LO signal could be used to drive the UFTmodule directly without the using a pulse generator. This is illustratedin FIGS. 39-40.

FIG. 39 illustrates an example frequency translator/phase-shifter 3904that operates similar to the frequency translator/phase shifter 2602(FIG. 26A). As such, the LO signal 2613 is raised or lowered using thebias voltage 2616, to generate the biased LO signal 2611 similar to thatin phase-shifter 2602. However, in phase-shifter 3904, the biased LOsignal 2611 directly operates the UFT module 2608, and controls thesampling of the input signal 3902 using the controlled switch 2609. Byraising or lowing the bias voltage, the sampling point is changed intime, and the phase shift is implemented.

FIG. 40 illustrates an example frequency translator/phase-shifter 4004that operates similar to the phase-shifter 3304 in FIG. 33A. However, inphase-shifter 4004, the delayed LO signal 3319 directly operates the UFTmodule 3308, and controls the sampling of the input signal 4002 usingthe controlled switch 3310. By changing the variable delay, the samplingpoint is changed in time, and the desired phase shift is implemented.

7.3 Antenna Applications of Universal Frequency Translation:

As described herein, the UFT module can be configured to performfrequency translation and phase shifting in an integrated manner. Thismakes the UFT module a very powerful and versatile antenna buildingblock, as well as other applications. In particular, in embodiments andwithout limitation, the UFT module can be utilized in antenna arrayapplications to frequency translate (including down-conversion andup-conversion) and phase shift signals for each individual antennaelement (or groups of antenna elements) in a phased array antenna.Therefore, it is possible to simultaneously frequency translate a signaland steer the antenna beam of a phased array antenna utilizing UFTmodules. Because UFT modules permit extremely fine control of RF phase,UFT modules can be used to finely control the beam of an antenna array.In the sections that follow, various antenna applications that utilizethe UFT module are described. It should be understood that this phasedarray description is provided for illustrative purposes only, andtherefore the invention is not limited to phased array applications.

7.3.1 Overview of Adaptive Beam Forming

It is known in the relevant art(s) that the output signals of two ormore antennas or antenna elements can be combined. If the output signalsof two or more antennas are combined such that the individual antennaoutput signals are added in-phase, the resulting output signal has agreater amplitude than either of the individual antenna output signals.This concept is illustrated in FIG. 41 and is at the heart of what iscommonly know as adaptive beam forming or beam steering formulti-element phased array antennas.

As can be seen in FIG. 41, a signal 4102 is being transmitted by anantenna 4104 and received by an antenna 4106 and an antenna 4108. Thedistance between antenna 4104 and antenna 4106 is the same as thedistance between antenna 4104 and antenna 4108. As a result, the outputsignals 4110 and 4112 of antennas 4106 and 4108, respectfully, areapproximately in-phase. When the output signals 4110 and 4112 ofantennas 4106 and 4108 are added together by summing unit 4114, theresulting output signal 4116 has a peak amplitude that is equal to thesum of the peak amplitudes of the output signals of the antennas 4106and 4108.

As can be seen in FIG. 42, when the distance between a transmittingantenna 4202 and antennas 4106 and 4108 are not the same, the outputsignals 4204 and 4206 of antennas 4106 and 4108 are not in-phase. Thisphase difference is due to the fact that the signal transmitted byantenna 4202 arrives earlier at antenna 4106 than it does at antenna4108. As a result of the phase difference between the output signals4204 and 4206, the summer output signal 4208 has a peak amplitude thatis less than the sum of the peak amplitudes of the output signals of theantennas 4106 and 4108.

As illustrated in FIG. 43, an RF phase shift module 4302 can beincorporated into an output signal path of antenna 4106. This is done tocompensate for the phase shift that is introduced by the path lengthdifference between antenna 4202 and the antennas 4106 and 4108. RF phaseshift module 4302 can be used to either advance or delay the phase ofthe output signal 4204 from antenna 4106 so that it will exactly matchthe phase of the output signal 4206 from antenna 4108. As discussedabove, when the output signals of antennas 4106 and 4108 are exactly inphase, then the amplitude of the output signal 4208 of the summing unit4114 is at a maximum.

FIGS. 44A-44B further describe adaptive beam forming and beam steeringfor a phased array antenna. FIG. 44A shows the direction of the lobes ofa particular phased array antenna without RF phase shifting. In FIG.44A, the main lobe of the phased array antenna is at an angle α=0°. FIG.44B shows how the direction of the lobes of the same phased arrayantenna can be steered by shifting the phases of the output signals ofthe individual antenna elements. In FIG. 44B, the main lobe of thephased array antenna has been steered to an angle α=30° by using RFphase shifting. Steering antenna beams by phase shifting the outputsignals from an antenna element is further described below in terms thatwill be familiar to persons skilled in the relevant art(s).

Phased array antennas, or antenna arrays, are composed of a multiplicityof antenna elements. Each element has its own radiation pattern.Preferably, the radiation pattern is the same whether the element isreceiving or transmitting, which is known as reciprocity to thoseskilled in the relevant arts. Furthermore, this radiation pattern isknown as the element factor. The antenna array, consisting of antennaelements, has a radiation pattern known as the space factor or arrayfactor. The total radiation pattern of an antenna array is the productof the element factor and the array factor.

The element factor is the radiation pattern of an individual antennaelement. Radiation patterns are typically computed in two planes knownas the principal planes. Propagating electromagnetic fields are composedof electric fields and magnetic fields that are orthogonal to eachother. Both the electric fields and the magnetic fields are orthogonalto the direction of propagation of the propagating electromagneticfields. The plane containing the electric field vector and the directionof propagation is one of the principal planes. The other principal planeis the plane containing the magnetic field vector and the direction ofpropagation. The principal planes are generally referred to as theE-plane (electric plane) and the H-plane (magnetic plane).

A commonly used antenna element is the half-wave dipole. This antennaelement is illustrated in FIG. 45A. As shown in FIG. 45A, the H-plane isrepresented by the y-z plane. The E-plane is represented by the x-zplane. The H-plane element factor is preferably constant. The E-planefactor for an infinitesimal dipole is:

EF(θ)=ξ·cos²(θ)  Eq. 1

Where ξ is a constant.

Antenna elements are caused to radiate by exciting (or feeding) themwith currents (I), having both a magnitude (I_(o)) and phase (β) where:

I=I ₀ ·e ^(j·β)  Eq. 2

FIG. 45B illustrates the E-plane factor for a half-wave dipole.

Each of the various types of antenna elements has its own uniqueradiation pattern. These radiation patterns are thoroughly described inthe many references available on antenna theory and design and are knownto persons skilled in the relevant art(s).

When multiple identical radiating elements are arranged to form anantenna array, then the array itself has a radiation factor called thearray factor. For the purpose of determining the array factor, each ofthe antenna elements are considered to be point sources. Stateddifferently, preferably each antenna element is considered to be aninfinitesimal, isotropic radiator.

FIG. 46 shows an N-element linear array of point sources. Each pointsource is evenly spaced along the x-axis. The array factor for thislinear antenna array is:

$\begin{matrix}{{{AF}(\theta)} = {\sum\limits_{n = 1}^{N}{I_{n} \cdot ^{j \cdot k \cdot d_{x} \cdot {\cos {(\theta)}}}}}} & {{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 3}\end{matrix}$

where d_(n) is the distance to the n^(th) antenna element and I_(n) isthe excitation current in the n^(th) element.I_(n) is of the form:

I _(n) =a _(n) ·e ^(j·β) ^(n)   Eq. 4

where a_(n) and β_(n) are the magnitude and phase of the current in then^(th) antenna element, respectively.

The propagation constant (k) is:

$\begin{matrix}{k = \frac{2 \cdot \pi \cdot f}{c_{0}}} & {{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 5}\end{matrix}$

where f is the frequency and c₀ is the speed of light in free space.

The array factor in the y-z plane is constant.

FIG. 47 illustrates an N×M rectangular antenna array. The antenna arrayin FIG. 47 is shown as having N rows and M columns of antenna elementsin the x-y plane. Each of the various types of antenna elements has itsown unique radiation pattern. These radiation patterns are throughlydescribed in the many references available on antenna theory and designand are known to persons skilled in the relevant art(s). In the case ofthe rectangular antenna array, the current exciting the nm^(th) antennaelement is:

I _(nm) =a _(nm) ·e ^(j·β) ^(nm)   Eq. 6

In the case where a_(nm) is constant and equal to a₀, and the currentsexciting each element of a particular row {N1, N2, N3, . . . , NM} arein phase, the array factor in the y-z plane, due to the rows of thearray, can be computed by:

$\begin{matrix}{{{AF}(\varphi)} = {\sum\limits_{m = 1}^{M}{N \cdot a_{0} \cdot ^{j \cdot k \cdot d_{m} \cdot {\cos {(\varphi)}}}}}} & {{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 7}\end{matrix}$

Similarly, the array factor in the x-z plane, due to the columns of thearray, can be computed by:

$\begin{matrix}{{{AF}(\theta)} = {\sum\limits_{n = 1}^{N}{M \cdot a_{0} \cdot ^{j \cdot k \cdot d_{n} \cdot {\cos {(\theta)}}}}}} & {{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 8}\end{matrix}$

The total array factor for the rectangular antenna array is given by theproduct of Eqs. 7 and 8. Thus the total array factor is:

$\begin{matrix}\begin{matrix}{{{AF}\left( {\theta,\varphi} \right)} = {{{AF}(\theta)} \cdot {{AF}(\varphi)}}} \\{= \left( {{{AF}(\theta)} = {\sum\limits_{n = 1}^{N}{M \cdot a_{0} \cdot ^{j \cdot k \cdot d_{n} \cdot {\cos {(\theta)}}}}}} \right)} \\{\left( {{{AF}(\varphi)} = {\sum\limits_{m = 1}^{M}{N \cdot a_{0} \cdot ^{j \cdot k \cdot d_{m} \cdot {\cos {(\varphi)}}}}}} \right)}\end{matrix} & {{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 9}\end{matrix}$

As stated above, the radiation pattern (RP) of an antenna array is theproduct of the element factor (EF) and the array factor (AF).

RP=EF·AF  Eq. 10

To illustrate this point, consider the linear array of five half-wavedipoles 4892 a-e that are shown in FIG. 48. The element factor for ahalf-wave dipole is shown in FIG. 45B. The array factor is shown in FIG.49A. Multiplying the element factor of FIG. 45B and the array factor ofFIG. 49A produces the radiation pattern shown in FIG. 49B. Of particularimportance is the effect of the element factor on the array factor. Thenulls of the element factor cause the grating lobes in the array factor,which can be seen in FIG. 49B at 90 degrees and 270 degrees, to besignificantly reduced. As should be apparent to persons skilled in therelevant art(s) given the discussion herein, it follows that the sameprinciples apply to planar arrays.

In deriving Eq. 9, it was assumed that each antenna element was excitedby an identical current. That is, it was assumed that the amplitudes andthe phases of the currents feeding the antenna elements were identical.Such arrays are known in the relevant art as uniform arrays or arrayswith uniform aperture distribution. It is also useful to intelligentlyalter both the amplitudes and the phases of the currents feeding theantenna elements, however, in order to achieve other arraycharacteristics.

When the magnitudes of the currents feeding the antenna elements in thecenter of the array are greatest and the magnitudes of the currentsfeeding the elements gradually get smaller toward the edges of thearray, the side lobes in the array factor are diminished. This point isillustrated by FIGS. 50A and 50B. FIG. 50A shows an array factor for thecase of uniform current amplitude distribution. FIG. 50B shows an arrayfactor where the current amplitude distribution approximates a raisedcosine. There are also other types of non-uniform current distributions,for example Taylor, Chebyshev, etc., that each has a slightly differenteffect on the array factor. Illustrations of these array factors can befound in several of the many references on antenna theory and design.

A different effect is produced in the array factor by a progressivecurrent phase distribution (β), as illustrated by FIGS. 51A and 51B. Aprogressive current phase distribution (β) causes the main lobe or beamof the antenna array to steer or scan to an oblique angle. For example,reconsider the antenna array of FIG. 46, where N equals nine. If β_(n)equals nβ, then the main beam of the array will scan or steer to anangle α according to:

$\begin{matrix}{\alpha = {a\; {\sin \left( \frac{- \beta}{k \cdot d} \right)}}} & {{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 11}\end{matrix}$

where α is the scan angle relative to the main beam when β equals zero,k is the propagation constant, and d is the spacing between the antennaelements. If d equals 0.65λ and β equals 80 degrees, α equals −20degrees. This can be seen in FIGS. 51A and 51B, where the main beam hasmoved from 0 degrees (in FIG. 51A) to 340 degrees (in FIG. 51B). Alsonote that the second main beam at 180 degrees (in FIG. 51A) has moved to200 degrees (in FIG. 51B), as would be expected. This concept can beapplied to planar arrays as will be apparent to persons skilled in therelevant art(s) given the discussion herein.

7.3.2 UFT Module Transmission Phase Characteristics

As previously described, the UFT module is a very powerful and versatileantenna building block. The UFT module can be utilized in antenna arrayapplications to frequency translate (including down-conversion andup-conversion) and phase shift signals for each individual antennaelement in a phased array antenna. Using UFT modules, it is possible tosimultaneously frequency translate an antenna signal and scan or steerthe antenna beam of a phased array antenna. Furthermore, using UFTmodules, it is possible to produce any desired phase or phasedistribution in an antenna.

For efficient phased array antenna design, it is useful to quantifyphase characteristics for example embodiments of UFT modules. Thefollowing discussion provides a method for quantifying the transmissionphase characteristics of an example UFT module for a given LO signalamplitude.

FIG. 52 is a block diagram of a circuit 5200 that can be used to varythe transmission phase of a EM signal 5201. Circuit 5200 comprises a UFTmodule 5202, a local oscillator 5204, a optional pulse generator 5207, abias voltage module 5206, and a low pass filter 5210. Local oscillator5204 produces a periodic signal, and the amplitude of its output signalis adjustable using the bias voltage module 5206, as described herein insection 7.2.1. Preferably, the output of LO 5204 is sinusoidal, howeverother waveforms could be used, such as triangle waves, and square waves.A capacitor 5208 is used to isolate local oscillator 5204 from UFTmodule 5202 and bias voltage module 5206. The output of UFT module ispassed through a low pass filter 5210. The supply voltage, Vcc (notshown), of UFT module 5202 is 5 volts DC.

FIG. 53 illustrates an experimental result of the phase at which the RFinput signal 5201 (in FIG. 52) is sampled vs. the bias voltage 5206,where the bias voltage 5206 is steadily increased in a voltage rampfashion from 0 volts to V_(cc)=5 volts. The phase shift (or phase atwhich the RF is sampled) is represented by a curve 5304, and the biasvoltage is represented by a ramp 5302. The phase shift curve 5304 issinusoidal, with a varying frequency over the life of the sine wave andover the ramp voltage 5302. These experimental results are for an RFinput signal 5301 of 915 MHZ, and a LO signal 5204 of 91.5 MHZ, so thatthe LO signal 5203 is the 10th subharmonic of the RF input signal 5201.The amplitude of the LO signal 5204 is fixed at an amplitude of 1.415volts peak-to-peak. The phase curve 5304 will be fit with an equation toquantify the phase shift for a given bias voltage, given the frequencyand amplitudes that are mentioned herein.

A significant portion of the phase curve 5304 in FIG. 53 can beapproximated by the following equation:

φ(ν_(b))=α·sin(2·π·f(ν_(b))·ν_(b)+φ₀)  Eq. 12

where f(ν_(b))=ρ·ν_(b) +f ₀  Eq. 13

is a linear function of the bias voltage 5302. More specifically, theequations 12 and 13 are a good approximation for the curve 5304 over amiddle portion 5306 of the phase curve 5304. However, the approximationis becomes less accurate at the edges 5308 a and 5308 b of the phasecurve 5304.

In order for equations 12 and 13 to be used in a particular application,it is necessary to determine a value for the coefficients ρ, φ₀, and f₀.The term α is a function of the amplitude of the RF input signal 5301and can be ignored for phase shift purposes. To determine a value forthe other coefficients, it is useful to combine the above equations andrewrite them as:

Ψ(ν_(b))=2·π·ρ·ν_(b) ²+2·π·f ₀·ν_(b)+φ₀  Eq. 14

where ψ(ν_(b)) is the argument of the sinusoid.

Equation 14 is a second order polynomial in the variable ν_(b), withthree degrees of freedom, where ψ(ν_(b)) represents the RF phase whenthe local oscillator 5204 generates a sinusoidal output. Therefore, ifψ(ν_(b)) is constrained to three known values at three known biasvoltages, then the coefficients ρ, φ₀, and f₀ can be determined bysolving the following system of equations:

$\begin{matrix}{\begin{bmatrix}\frac{\varphi_{0}}{2 \cdot \pi} \\f_{0} \\\rho\end{bmatrix} = {{\begin{bmatrix}1 & v_{b\; 1} & v_{b\; 1}^{2} \\1 & v_{b\; 2} & v_{b\; 2}^{2} \\1 & v_{b\; 3} & v_{b\; 3}^{2}\end{bmatrix}^{- 1}\begin{bmatrix}{\psi \left( v_{b\; 1} \right)} \\{\psi \left( v_{b\; 2} \right)} \\{\psi \left( v_{b\; 3} \right)}\end{bmatrix}} \cdot \frac{1}{2 \cdot \pi}}} & {{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 15}\end{matrix}$

The solution to the above equation is valid for the particular amplitudeof the local oscillator signal that was used to generate the sinusoid5304. Equation 15 can be solved three times for three different LOamplitudes to determine the coefficients ρ, φ₀, and f₀. By solvingEquation 15 three times for three different LO values and using a leastsquares method for the best data fit, the following three generalequations are produced for determining the values of the coefficients ρ,φ₀, and f₀, given an LO amplitude of β_(LO):

φ₀(β_(LO))=194.23·ln(β_(LO))−138.33  Eq. 16

ρ₀(β_(LO))=3.591·ln(β_(LO))−2.2856  Eq. 17

f ₀(β_(LO))=67.142·e ^(−1.5393·β) ^(LO)   Eq. 18

where β_(LO) is the peak-to-peak voltage amplitude of local oscillator5204 in FIG. 52. Equation 14 quantifies the transmission phase of UFTmodule 5202 in FIG. 52 for an RF input of 915 MHZ, and a LO of 91.5 MHZ.Thus, for V_(cc)=5 volts, the transmission phase can be calculated usingEquations 15-18 for a given amplitude of the local oscillator 5204 and agiven bias voltage 5206.

As can be seen in FIG. 53, UFT module 5202 will not produce an output ifthe bias voltage of bias voltage module 5206 is too low or too high.Thus, the above equations are accurate for a particular range of biasvoltages. The accurate operating range of UFT module 5202 is shown inFIG. 54 as a function of the peak-to-peak amplitude of local oscillator5204. In other words, FIG. 54 plots the available bias voltages for thebias voltage module 5206 vs. LO voltage amplitude for the LO 5204. Thearea 5402 represents the viable bias voltages for bias voltage module5206.

7.3.3 Exemplary Two-Element Antenna Design Example Using UFT Modules asPhase Shifters

The following section describes how to design an example two-elementphased array antenna using UFT modules and the equations derived in theprevious section. The example is provided for illustration only, and isnot meant to be limiting. Given the discussion that follows, it willbecome apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) how to use thepresent invention to make phased array antennas having two or moreelements. These other phased array embodiments that perform frequencytranslation and phase shifting are within the scope and spirit of thepresent invention.

FIG. 55 depicts an example circuit 5500 that can be used to illustratehow to make a phased array antenna using the present invention. Circuit5500 comprises a power splitter 5501, two UFT modules 5502A and 5502B, alocal oscillator 5504, and two bias voltage modules 5506A and 5506B. Thesupply voltage, Vcc (not shown), of UFT modules 5502 is 5 volts DC. Twocapacitors 5508 are used to isolate local oscillator 5504 from UFTmodules 5502 and bias voltage modules 5206. The output of localoscillator 5504 has a peak-to-peak voltage amplitude of 1.415 V_(p-p)and is connected to a 50 ohm termination 5512. The output of each UFTmodule 5502 is passed through low pass filters 5510. An RF signalgenerator 5514 is used to simulate an RF input signal, and the output ofUFT modules 5502 are feed to an oscilloscope 5516. Two 10 dB attenuatormodules 5518 are used to minimize effects of impedance mismatches, ifany, between the power splitter 5501 and the UFT modules 5502.

The desired specifications for the circuit 5500 are as follows:

V_(CC)=5 volts

Sinusoidal LO amplitude=1.415 V_(p-p)

F_(RF)=915 MHZ

F_(IF)=91.5455 MHZ

Desired Phase Shift=38 degrees=0.6632 radians

The output phases of the two UFT modules 5502 can be independently setby their respective bias voltage modules 5506. Adjusting the biasvoltage of bias voltage module 5506A will either advance or retard theoutput phase of UFT module 5502A, relative to the output phase of thebias voltage module 5502B. Similarly, adjusting the bias voltage of biasvoltage module 5506B will either advance or retard the output phase ofUFT module 5502B, relative to the output phase of UFT module 5502A.

For this example two-element antenna design, it is desired that thephase difference between the output signals of UFT modules 5502 be 38degrees or 0.6632 radians. To determine what bias voltage values willproduce this desired result, it is necessary to determine the values ofρ, φ₀, and f₀ using Equations 16-18, given β_(LO)=1.415 volts. UsingEquations. 16-18, the coefficients ρ, φ₀, and f₀ are calculated to bethe following:

φ₀(β_(LO))=−70.907,

ρ(β_(LO))=−1.039, and

f ₀(β_(LO))=7.604.

Inserting these coefficients back into equation 14, results in:

Ψ(ν_(b))=2·π·(−1.039)·ν_(b) ²+2·π·(7.604)·ν_(b)−70.907  Eq 19

A bias voltage must be chosen that will correspond to a reference phase.For purposes of this example, a reference bias voltage of V_(cc)/2 (or2.5 volts DC) is chosen. The reference phase is determined from equation19 as follows:

Ψ(ν_(b)=2.5)=2·π·(−1.039)·ν_(b) ²+2·π·(7.604)·ν_(b)−70.907=7.735 radians

To determine what the voltage value of bias voltage module 5506A shouldbe to produce a 38 degree shift from the reference phase, it isnecessary to add 0.6632 radians (or 38 degrees) to the reference phaseof 7.735 radians, resulting in a desired phase of 8.398 radians. Next,Equation 19 is solved for a ν_(b) that corresponds to 8.398 radians,which results in roots of 2.545 volts and 4.774 volts. Although Eq. 19has two possible solutions, it can be determined by examining FIG. 54that 4.774 volts is outside the valid operating range of the UFTmodules. Thus, 2.545 volts is the preferable solution for Eq. 19 in theexample currently being considered. Setting the output of bias voltagemodule 5504A to 2.545 volts should produce a 38 degree phase shift inthe output of UFT module 5502A with respect to the reference phase ofUFT module 5502B.

FIG. 56 illustrates actual measured phase shift for the circuit 5500using a voltage of 2.545 volts for the bias voltage 5506A, and a voltageof 2.5 volts for the bias voltage 5506B. As shown, the output of UFTmodule 5502A leads the output of UFT module 5502B by about 225nanoseconds, and the period of the signals is about 2.1985 microseconds.The actual difference in relative phase, therefore, is about 36.84degrees, which is within 1.2 degrees of the desired value. Therefore,the calculated phase shift is very close to the actual measured phaseshift of example circuit 5500.

If the circuit 5500 were used to construct an actual two-element phasedarray antenna, with the antenna elements spaced about 0.64λ apart, thenaccording to Eq. 11, the main beam of the antenna array would scan to−9.34 degrees.

The above antenna design was done for a specific set of designconditions, and was illustrated for example purposes only. The presentinvention is not limited to the design example that was presented. Otherantenna designs could be realized as will be apparent to persons skilledin the relevant art(s) given the discussion herein. These other antennadesigns are within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Furthermore, the design method described above and herein will work evenif a different harmonic is used to down-convert the input RF signal, andeven if a different power supply voltage is used. Adapting the aboveexample to a different set of design conditions involves calculating theappropriate values for the coefficients ρ, φ₀, and f₀, as taught herein.Thus, the method and equations described herein teach persons skilled inthe relevant art(s) how to design and implement many differentembodiments of the present invention. FIGS. 57A-C illustrate variousmeasured and approximated phase functions (based on equations 14-18) forvarious peak-to-peak LO amplitudes. As discussed above, theapproximation is best in the middle of the phase curves, but falls offat the edges. FIGS. 58A-C illustrate the curve fitting used to determinethe variables ρ, φ₀, and f₀, vs. LO signal amplitude for the phasefunctions in FIGS. 57A-C.

Furthermore, the design methods and techniques described herein are notthe only way to design phased antennas using UFT-based phase shifters.There are other design methods and techniques that will be apparent tothose skilled in the arts based on the discussions herein. These otherdesign methods and techniques are within the scope of the presentinvention.

Furthermore, the design method (or parts thereof) described herein canbe programmed in a processor, or digital computer. In other words, theequations described above could be programmed in a digital computer.Therefore, given an input that represents a desired antenna beam angle,a computer performs the calculations in equations 14-18 to determine thebias voltage that will produce the element phase shift necessary tosteer the antenna beam to the desired angle. As such, referring back tocircuit 5200 (FIG. 52), the bias voltage 5206 can be controlled by acontroller/processor 5212, as shown in FIG. 119.

FIG. 59 illustrates an example two-element receive antenna array 5900having a corresponding main beam 5912 according to the presentinvention. Antenna array 5900 comprises two antenna elements 5902, UFTmodules 5904, a local oscillator module 5906, two bias voltage modules5908, and a summing module 5910. Based on the discussion above, the UFTmodules 5904 can be utilized to down-convert the signals received by theantennas 5902. Additionally and based on the discussions above, the UFTmodules 5904 can be used to introduce a relative phase-shift in thesignals received by the antennas 5902, where the relative phase shift iscontrolled by the relative bias voltage that is produced by the biasvoltage modules 5908. As such, a change in the relative bias voltagethat controls the UFT modules 5904 causes the antenna main beam 5912 tosteer off boresight to a desired angle.

7.3.4 Phased Array Antenna Embodiments Including 2-D Antenna Arrays

As described herein, UFT modules can be utilized in antenna arrayapplications to frequency translate (including down-conversion andup-conversion) and phase shift signals for each individual antennaelement in a phased array antenna. When the phase of the excitationcurrent of each of the antenna elements in an antenna array isintelligently altered, the main beam of the antenna array iselectronically steered.

FIG. 60 illustrates an embodiment 6000 of the present invention thatcomprises two UFT modules 6002A and 6002B. In this embodiment, theoutput phases of the UFT modules 6002A and 6002B are individuallyadjusted by changing the bias voltage applied to the local oscillatorport or clock port of UFT modules 6002A and 6002B, using bias voltagemodules 6004A and 6004B. As shown in FIG. 61A, when the output voltagesof bias voltage modules 6004A and 6004B are equal, the output signals ofUFT modules 6002A and 6002B are in phase. When the output voltages ofbias voltage modules 6004A and 6004B are not equal, the output signalsof UFT modules 6002A and 6002B are phase-shifted with respect to eachother, as shown in FIG. 61B.

The present invention can also be used to implement a linear phasedarray antenna 6200 that comprise N radiating antenna elements 6202A-N,as illustrated in FIG. 62. In an embodiment of the present invention,feed network 6204 of linear phased array antenna 6200 comprises N feedcircuits 6206A-N. Each feed circuit 6206 is similar to circuit 5200 inFIG. 52 (or any of the other frequency translation/phase-shiftercircuits discussed herein), which performs integrated down-conversionand phase shifting using a UFT module. As such, the phase of eachelement 6202 is controlled by the relative bias voltage 5206 asdescribed in detail above. In other words, the phase of each element6202 is varied by changing the corresponding bias voltage 5206 incircuit 5200. By changing the phase of each element 6202, acorresponding main beam 6208 is scanned or steered in the x-plane, whichcontains the array itself. Scanning of the antenna beam 6208 is furtherillustrated in FIGS. 63A and 63B that are described below.

FIG. 63A illustrates the radiation pattern for a linear phased arrayantenna 6200 for the case where N equals six and the output of each feedcircuit 6206A-N is in phase. As can be seen in FIG. 63A, the main beam6208 of the linear phased array antenna 6200 is at an angle of zerodegrees, or broadside to the array, when the outputs of the feedcircuits 6206 are in phase.

FIG. 63B shows the radiation pattern for a linear phased array antenna6200 for the case where N equals six and the output of feed circuits6206 are incrementally shifted, resulting in a main beam 6208 that isscanned off boresight, to approximately −20 degrees.

As would be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) given thediscussion herein, embodiments of linear phased array antenna 6200 arecontemplated wherein the number of radiating antenna elements and feedcircuits are more than 6, and wherein the number of radiating antennaelements and feed circuit are less than 6.

Embodiments of linear phased array antenna 6200 are also contemplatedthat use feed circuits other than one similar to circuit 5200. Any ofthe various methods and circuits described herein to vary the outputphase of a UFT module, and their equivalents, can be used to implementthe feed circuits 6502 in the linear phased array antenna 6200. Theseembodiments include the frequency translator/phase shifter modules 2602,3304, and 3604 that are shown in FIGS. 26A, 33A, and 36, respectively.Additionally down-converter/phase shifter modules 3104 (FIG. 31A), 3404(FIG. 34A), and 3704 (FIG. 37) can be used as feed elements for phasedarrays that are operating in receive mode. Additionally,up-converter/phase-shifter 3204 (FIG. 32A), 3404 (FIG. 34A), and 3804(FIG. 38) can be used as feed elements for phased arrays that areoperating in transmit mode.

FIG. 64 illustrates an M×N antenna array 6400 embodiment of the presentinvention. This embodiment of the present invention can be implementedusing M linear phased array antennas similar to linear phased arrayantenna 6200. Feed network 6402 can be implemented by controlling M×Nindividual feed circuit 6502 that operate in parallel, as shown in FIG.65A. Alternatively, feed network 6402 can be implemented by controllingM input feeds circuit 6502 to N feed networks 6504 similar to feednetwork 6204, as shown in FIG. 65B. The feed network shown in FIG. 65Aallows greater control of the individual excitation currents for each ofthe radiating antenna elements while the feed circuit shown in FIG. 65Bis simpler to implement. In embodiments, the feed circuits 6502 areimplemented according to the feed circuit 5200 that is shown in FIG. 52.

FIGS. 66A and 66B show an example radiation pattern for a 6×6 antennaarray similar to array 6400. FIG. 66A shows the radiation pattern forthe case where the signals fed to all of the radiating elements arein-phase. FIG. 66B shows the radiation pattern for a case were the mainbeam of the antenna array has been scanned or steered by intelligentlyvarying the excitation currents to the radiating elements of the antennaarray.

As would be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) given thediscussion herein, embodiments of M×N array antenna 6400 arecontemplated wherein the number of radiating antenna elements and feedcircuits is more than 36 and wherein the number of radiating antennaelements and feed circuits is less than 36. Any of the various methodsand circuits described herein to vary the output phase of a UFT module,and their equivalents, can be used to implement the feed circuits 6502M×N array antenna 6400. These embodiments include the frequencytranslator/phase shifter modules 2602, 3304, and 3604 that are shown inFIGS. 26, 33, and 26 respectively.

As described herein, UFT modules can be used for both down-conversionand up-conversion of electromagnetic energy signals. For example, RFsignals can be down-converted to IF signals or baseband signals.Additionally, baseband signals or IF signals can be up-converted to RFsignals. Thus the present invention can be applied to produce either areceiving antenna array or a transmitting antenna array. As such, thefeed circuits 6502 can be implemented with down-converter/phase shiftermodules 3104, 3404, and 3704 that are shown in FIGS. 31, 34, and 27,respectively, for phased arrays that are operating in receive mode.Additionally, the feed circuits 6502 can be implemented asup-converter/phase-shifter modules 3204, 3505, and 3804 that are shownin FIGS. 32, 35, and 38, respectively, for phased arrays that areoperating in transmit mode.

FIG. 67A shows an embodiment of a two-element receiving antenna array6702. Receive antenna array 6702 includes: elements 6701 a,b; UFTmodules 6706 a,b; bias voltage modules 6708 a,b; LO 6705, and summer6703. Antenna elements 6701 a,b receive the signal 6704 at an angle α attwo locations as shown, resulting in received signals 6704 a,b that arephase shifted with respect to each other. UFT modules 6706 a,bdown-convert and phase shift the signals 6704 a,b, where the relativephase introduced by each UFT module 6706 is dependant on thecorresponding bias voltage module 6708, as described above. Therefore,any relative phase shift between the signals 6704 a and 6704 b (as aresult of the angle of arrival) can be compensated for by adjusting therelative bias voltages 6708 a and 6708 b. In other words, UFT module6706 b (or the UFT module 6706 a) can be biased to implement a relativephase shift during down-conversion that compensates for any phase shiftbetween the signals 6704 a and 6704 b. Therefore, the resultingdown-converted signals 6710 a and 6710 b are in-phase when addedtogether by the summer 6703, and the output signal 6712 is enhanced to amaximum value. When the output signal 6712 is at a maximum then the mainbeam of the antenna 6702 is steered to the angle α, so as to be alignedwith the incoming signal 6704.

FIG. 67B shows an embodiment for a two-element transmitting antennaarray 6714 that is the reciprocal of the receive antenna 6702. Antennaarray 6714 up-converts and transmits an input signal 6720, resulting ina transmitted signal 6716 that is transmitted at an angle α, as shown.Because of the principle of reciprocity, a receiving antenna array canalso be used as a transmitting antenna with minor adjustments, as wouldbe known to persons skilled in the relevant art(s). As shown, thedifference between receive array 6702 and transmit array 6714 is thatthe summing module 6703 (in receive array 6702) has been replaced by apower splitter module 6718 (in transmit array 6714), where the powersplitter 6718 receives the baseband input 6720. In embodiments, thepower splitter 6718 and the summer 6703 can be the same component. Inother embodiments, they can be different components.

In sections 7.2.1-7.2.3, the frequency translation/phase-shiftingembodiments of the invention incorporate a pulse generator in additionto a UFT module. In section 7.2.4, the frequencytranslation/phase-shifter embodiments of the invention do not include apulse generator. Antenna configurations 6702 (FIG. 67A) and 6714 (FIG.67B) do not explicitly illustrate a pulse generator, for ease ofillustration. However, in embodiments, pulse generator(s) could beincorporated with the UFT modules in antenna configurations 6702 and6714 to control switching of the UFT module(s) (as seen in FIGS. 67C and67D). More generally, all of the antenna configurations described hereincan utilize any of the frequency translation/phase-shifter embodimentsdescribed herein (and their equivalents), including frequencytranslation/phase-shifter embodiments that incorporate (and do notincorporate) pulse generators.

FIG. 67C illustrates receive antenna 6722 having pulse generators 6724 aand 6724 b to control the UFT modules 6706 a and 6706 b, respectively.

FIG. 67D illustrates transmit antenna 6726 having pulse generators 6724a and 6724 b to control the UFT modules 6706 a and 6706 b, respectively.

FIG. 68A depicts a transmit/receive antenna array 6800 according to anembodiment of the present invention that has a steerable main beam.Antenna array 6800 is capable of both receiving and transmittingelectromagnetic signals. Antenna array 6800 comprises two antennaelements 6802A and 6802B, four UFT modules 6804A-D, two bias voltagemodules 6806A and 6806B, a local oscillator module 6808, a summingmodule 6810, and a power splitter module 6812. Antenna elements 6802 areselectively coupled to UFT modules 6804 using T/R switches 6814.

In receive mode, switches 6814A and 6814B are positioned so that theantenna elements 6802A and 6802B are connected to the UFT modules 6804Band 6804C, respectively. When in this configuration, antenna array 6800functions similar to antenna array 6702.

In transmit mode, switches 6814A and 6814B are positioned so that theantenna element 6802A and antenna element 6802B are connected to the UFTmodule 6804A and the UFT module 6804D, respectively. When in thisconfiguration, antenna array 6800 functions similar to antenna array6714.

Bias voltage modules 6806 are preferably digital control devices.Digital control devices provide an appropriate bias voltage based on adigital input, and can be computer controlled. FIG. 68B illustratesdigital control devices 6814 that are controlled by a controller 6816.In embodiments, the digital control devices 6814 include but are notlimited to: digitally controlled voltage supplies, digital-to-analogconverters, and other devices and equivalents that are known to thoseskilled in the arts based on the discussion herein. In embodiments, thecontroller 6816 is a programmable computer/processor, including amicroprocessor.

In alternate embodiments, the digital control device 6806 is amicroprocessor 6818 and a low pass filter 6820, as shown in FIG. 68C.The microprocessor 6818 is programmed to generate a square wave that isfiltered by the low pass filter 6820. The result is a bias voltage 6822having an amplitude that varies according to the duty cycle of thesquare wave 6819. More specifically, the amplitude rises or falls inproportion to the duty cycle. As such, the duty cycle can be used tovary the amplitude of the bias voltage 6822, and therefore level shiftthe appropriate LO signal.

By using digital control devices 6814 in array 6800, any phasediscrepancy between the transmit and receive paths can be electronicallytuned out. This can occur because phase control is achieved by simplycontrolling the voltage at the UFT module's local oscillator or clockinput port. Thus, manual phase alignment is eliminated. Additionally,the local oscillator 6808 is isolated from the RF signal so that phasecontrol is implemented using the large magnitude signal LO signal,instead of the smaller magnitude RF signal. In other words, the phasecontrol is done at the LO signal input, and is independent of RF signalamplitude. This eliminates the need to create wide dynamic range, lownoise phase shifting circuitry. Furthermore, digital control devices6814 allow the main antenna beam to be steered instantaneously, asdesired. Other advantages of antenna array 6800 will be apparent topersons skilled in the relevant art(s) given the description herein.

As would be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) given thediscussion herein, embodiments of array antenna 6800 are contemplatedwherein the number of antenna elements and feed circuits is more thantwo. Furthermore, any of the various methods and circuits describedherein that vary the output phase of a UFT module, can be used toimplement array antenna 6800. This includes the frequencytranslator/phase shifter modules 2602, 3304, and 3604 that are shown inFIGS. 26A, 33A, and 36, respectively. Additionally, thedown-converter/phase shifter modules 3104, 3404, and 3704 that are shownin FIGS. 31A, 34A, and 37, respectively, could be utilized in thereceive mode. Additionally, the up-converter/phase-shifter modules 3204,3504, and 3804 that are shown in FIGS. 32A, 35A, and 38, respectively,could be utilized in the transmit mode.

FIG. 69 depicts an exemplary radiation pattern for an exampletwo-element antenna array according to the present invention. As can beseen in FIG. 69, the radiation pattern of an antenna array comprisesboth lobes and nulls. A lobe is shown in FIG. 69 at about 15 degrees anda null is shown at about −20 degrees. When the radiation pattern of anantenna array is steered, both the lobes and the nulls are steered.Thus, it is possible to align a receiving null with transmissionsoriginating from an undesirable direction such as a multipath directionor the direction of a jamming transmitter. Conversely, transmittingnulls can be aligned with directions that may interfere with otherreceivers. In FIG. 69, the main beam of the antenna has been steered to15 degrees, the desired signal's direction, while a null has beensteered to −20 degrees, the direction of an undesired signal's origin.

7.3.5 Generating Elliptical and Circular Polarization Using UFT Modules

The present invention is very versatile. For example, by properlyorienting the antenna elements of antenna array 6800, the presentinvention can be used make an antenna 7000 that can transmit and receivecircularly polarized waves. Circularly polarized waves are used in manycommunication systems. Furthermore, because the present inventions is soversatile, the same topology that is used to transmit/receive circularlypolarized waves can also be used to transmit/receive linear polarizedwaves. As can be seen in FIG. 70, antenna 7000 uses linearly polarized,orthogonal antenna elements or elements with orthogonal feed points inorder to transmit and receive circularly polarized waves. Antenna 7000is capable of transmitting and receiving right-hand circularly polarizedwaves, left-hand circularly polarized waves, and linearly polarizedwaves.

FIG. 71 is a more detailed diagram of antenna 7000 according to anembodiment of the present invention. The circuitry of antenna 7000 issimilar to the circuitry described above for antenna array 6800. Inorder to transmit and receive circularly polarized waves, bias voltagesmodules 7102 of antenna 7000 are set so that a 90 degree phase shift ismaintained between UFT modules 7104 and 7106. The determination of thebias voltage according to embodiments of the invention for a given phaseshift is described herein. As would be apparent to persons skilled inthe relevant art(s) given the discussion herein, other embodiments ofantenna 7000 are contemplated, which use the various methods andcircuits described herein, and their equivalents, to vary the outputphases of the UFT modules.

As will be known to persons skilled in the relevant art(s), differencesin the circuitry of an antenna may cause polarized waves to be producedthat are not purely circular. Such waves are called ellipticallypolarized waves. FIG. 72 shows an ellipse that can be thought of asrepresenting an elliptically polarized wave. A truly circular polarizedwave has an axial ratio equal to one. Referring to FIG. 72, axial ratiomeans the ratio of the length of line segment AB to the length of linesegment CD.

${{Axial}\mspace{14mu} {Ratio}} = \frac{AB}{CD}$

The circuitry of antenna 7000 can compensate for any phase errors in thefeed network of antenna 7000, as illustrated in FIG. 73, therebyeliminating or significantly reducing the effect of the phase errorsthat can cause elliptically polarized waves to be produced. As will beapparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) given the descriptionherein, the output phase of the UFT modules of antenna 7000 can beadjusted to compensate for any errors by simply adjusting the output ofthe bias voltage modules.

7.3.6 Intelligent Adaptive Beam Forming Using UFT Modules

FIG. 74 illustrates a phased array system 7400 that has adaptive beamforming according to an embodiment of the invention. Antenna 7400 iscapable of steering the corresponding antenna beam 7426 toward anincoming signal so that better signal reception is achieved. Phasedarray system 7400 is depicted as a two element antenna system, howevern-number of elements could be used. Furthermore, multiple dimensionalarrays could be implemented. For example, arrays having M×N antennaelements can be implemented as will be understood by those skilled inthe relevant arts.

Phased array system 7400 includes: antenna elements 7401, 7402; optionalamplifiers 7404, 7423; down-converter 7405 having pulse generator 7408and UFT modules 7406; down converter/phase shifter 7415 having delayelement 7412, pulse generator 7414, and UFT module 7416; oscillator7410; summer 7418; detector 7420; and controller 7424. The operation ofthe adaptive beam forming properties for the phased array system 7400are described in receive/down-conversion mode. However, the discussionis applicable to up-conversion as will be understood by those skilled inthe relevant arts.

Antenna elements 7401 and 7402 receive a signal 7424 that has an angleof arrival angle 7425. The signal 7424 is assumed to be a plane wave andis received by both antenna elements 7401 and 7402. The signal 7424 isoptionally amplified by amplifiers 7404 and 7423 to generate signals7407 and 7413, respectively.

Down-converter 7405 down-converts the signal 7407 according to a LOsignal 7409 that drives the pulse generator 7408, resulting in adown-converted signal 7417. Down-conversion using a UFT module that isdriven by a pulse generator has been described herein, to which thereader is referred for more details.

Down-converter/phase shifter 7415 down-converts and phase shifts thesignal 7413 according to the LO signal 7409 that drives the delayelement 7412, resulting in an IF signal 7419. Down-conversion and phaseshifting using a UFT module has been described herein, to which thereader is referred for more detail. As described herein, the delayelement 7412 implements a desired phase shift in the IF signal 7419 byshifting the pulses that are generated by the pulse generator 7414. Thedelay element 7412 can be implemented using any one of the delayconfigurations/approaches that were discussed earlier herein including:changing the DC bias of the local oscillator (LO) signal 7409, delayingthe LO signal 7409, and changing the shape of the LO signal 7409, aswell as others that will be apparent based on the teachings herein.

Summer 7418 sums the two IF signals 7417 and 7419, resulting in acombined signal 7421.

Detector 7420 detects the signal 7421, resulting in a detected outputsignal 7422. The detector 7420 produces a maximum signal strength foroutput signal 7422 when the antenna beam 7426 is aligned with theincoming signal 7424, which occurs at an angle 7425 as shown. If theantenna beam 7426 is not aligned with the incoming signal 7424, then thedetector 7420 will not produce a maximum signal. This is furtherrepresented by FIG. 75, and is discussed below.

FIG. 75 illustrates the amplitude of the detected output signal 7422 vs.relative beam angle. When the antenna beam is pointed directly at theincoming signal 7424 so that the relative beam angle (between theantenna beam and the incident signal) is 0 degrees, then the detector7420 produces a maximum signal. Maximum signal strength is representedby peak 7502 in FIG. 75. However, if the antenna beam not aligned withthe incoming signal 7424, then the signal strength falls off, asrepresented by amplitude 7504.

During operation, it may be necessary to align the beam 7426 with theangle of the incoming signal 7424, in order to produce the peak signalamplitude. For example, if the antenna beam 7426 is at boresight and theincident signal is arriving at angle of 7425, then the antenna beam 7426should be steered toward the incident signal to produce the maximumsignal strength. In order to do so, the controller 7424 adjusts thedelay 7412 of the down-converter/phase shifter 7415 to implement a phasebetween the antenna elements 7401 and 7402, and thereby steer theantenna beam to the proper angle. However, the controller 7424 cannottell which way to steer the beam given only on the detected signal 7422.In other words, the controller 7424 cannot tell what side of the peak7502, the antenna beam 7426 is located. Therefore, in one embodiment, afeedback based trial and error methodology is used. More specifically,the controller 7424 increments the delay 7412 so that the beam 7426 issteered in one direction or other. If the amplitude of detected signal7422 increases and moves toward the peak 7502 (in FIG. 75), then theantenna beam 7426 is being steered in the right direction toward theincoming signal. If the amplitude of the detected signal 7422 drops inamplitude and moves away from the peak 7502, then the antenna beam isbeing steered in the wrong direction, and the direction of beam steershould be reversed.

FIG. 76 illustrates an example antenna system 7600 that has an improvedcontrol system over that of antenna system 7600. Antenna system 7600 hasan improved control system because a sum channel and a differencechannel are utilized. The sum channel is implemented by the summer 7418and sums the down-converted signals 7417 and 7419, as in FIG. 74, togenerate an output signal 7606. The difference channel is implemented bya subtractor 7602 that subtracts the down-converted signals 7417 and7419 from each other, resulting in a difference signal 7604 that is usedto peak up the antenna beam 7426 with the incident signal 7624. Theutilization of a difference channel (in addition to) a sum channelimproves the control system because the sign of the difference signal7604 indicates which way the beam should be steered once the system iscalibrated. Hence, the controller 7424 can adjust the delay of the delaymodule 7412 to implement the requisite phase shift and steer the antennabeam to a desired angle, without using trial and error.

FIG. 77 illustrates an example phased array antenna system 7700 wheretwo antenna beams are generated simultaneously. Beam 7706 a is atboresight, and beam 7706 b is steered off at an angle as determined bythe delays 7704 a-n. The output for the beam 7706 a is taken from thesummer 7702 a, and the output for the beam 7706 b is taken from thesummer 7702 b. The antenna system 7700 can be expanded to any number ofantenna beams that are generated simultaneously by adding additional UFTmodules, delays 7704, and summers 7702.

The control systems/methodologies discussed herein, as well as othersthat will be apparent based on the teachings herein, can be used withany of the embodiments discussed herein, and their equivalents.

7.3.7 Example Antenna Applications Using UFT Modules for IntegratedFrequency Translation and Phase Shifting

This section describes several antenna applications of the presentinvention. As described herein, the UFT module can be configured toperform frequency translation and phase shifting in an integratedmanner. This makes the UFT module a very powerful and versatile antennabuilding block. As described herein, it is possible to make adaptableantennas or antennas with steerable beams.

One application for the present invention, i.e., the antenna embodimentsdescribed above, is to track a moving transmitter such as a cell phoneuser. This embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS.80A and 80B. In FIG. 80A, a cell phone user is depicted close to a cellphone tower that has an steerable antenna array mounted on it. Thesteerable antenna array is one of the antenna embodiments of the presentinvention described above. Since the cell phone user is close to thecell phone tower, a control loop in the circuitry of the antennaintelligently adjusts the output phases of the UFT modules to steer thebeam of the antenna towards the cell phone user. As can be seen in FIG.80A, the main beam of the antenna is pointed downward towards the cellphone user. In FIG. 80B, the cell phone user has moved away from thecell phone tower. In this instance, the main beam of the antenna isshown as having been steered upward to track the cell phone user as hemoved away from the tower.

As would be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s), theantenna of FIGS. 80A and 80B is highly desirable because it can track acell phone user. Because the antenna's beam tracks the cell phone user,the cell phone can transmit a lower power signal than would be requiredif the antenna's beam did not track the cell phone user. Furthermore,the nulls of the antenna's beam prevent other transmitters in the areafrom interfering with the antenna's reception of the tracked cell phoneuser. Also, this embodiment of the invention makes it possible todetermine the general position/location of the cell phone user.

As will be known to persons skilled in the relevant art(s), the antennaembodiment of the present invention can significantly increase thecapacity of a cellular system. FIGS. 81-83 show a hypothetical typicalsector loading for two cell phone towers in Salt Lake City, Utah. Thesetwo cell phone towers are designated as the North Tower and the SouthTower. As depicted in FIGS. 81-83, the North Tower and the South Towereach mount three antennas which are not adaptable. These antennas areeach capable of transmitting and receiving cell phone signals in onlyone of the areas identified as sectors A, B, and C. Since the antennasdepicted in FIGS. 81-83 are not adaptable, the width of the sectors A,B, and C are fixed. The maximum number of cell phone calls that can besimultaneously handled by each antenna is 160.

FIG. 81 shows the sector loading for the North Tower and the South Towerat about 7:00 AM. As can be see in FIG. 81, sector B of the South Toweris operating at its capacity of 160 calls while sectors A and C areoperating at about 80 calls each. Any users trying to initiate a call insector C of the South Tower will not be able to get through. Sector B ofthe North Tower is also operating near its total capacity of 160 calls,while sector A of the North Tower is handling only about 20 calls.

FIG. 82 shows the loading on the North Tower and South Tower at about1:00 PM. FIG. 82 illustrates the fact that the antenna for sector A ofthe North Tower is now the antenna that is handling the largest numberof cell phone calls. As can be seen by comparing FIGS. 81 and 82, theloading of the sectors changes significantly between 7:00 AM and 1:00PM.

FIG. 83 shows the loading on the North Tower and the South Tower atabout 5:00 PM. As can be seen in FIG. 83, sector B of both the NorthTower and the South Tower are operating at capacity, while the othersectors are operating below their capacity.

In order to increase the capacity of the cellular system depicted inFIGS. 81-83, it is highly desirable to be able to change the width ofsectors A, B, and C of the North and South Towers in response to theinstantaneous loading of the sectors. Ideally, the width of the varioussectors should be adjusted so that each sector contained about the samenumber of active cell phone users. This would ensure that there wasadditional capacity in every sector so that a new user in any sectorcould initiate a call. As would be apparent to a person skilled in therelevant art(s) given the description herein, it is possible toimplement such a cellular system by using the antenna embodiment of thepresent invention, as described herein.

FIG. 84 shows how a cellular system using the present invention wouldadjust the sector coverage of its antennas in response to the cell phoneactivity depicted in FIG. 81. As can be seen in FIG. 84, the width ofsectors A and C of both the North Tower and the South Tower have beenincreased while the width of sectors B have been decreased. This changein the width of the sectors has balanced the loading of all the sectors,thereby ensuring that a new user in any sector can initiate a call.FIGS. 85 and 86 also show how a cellular system using the presentinvention would adjust the sector coverage of its antennas in responseto the cell phone activity depicted in FIGS. 82 and 83, respectively.This embodiment of the present invention is show more clearly in FIGS.87A and 87B.

Using antenna embodiments of the present invention and known signalprocessing techniques, it is possible to produce an antenna that has,for example and without limitation, five steerable main beams. FIGS. 87Aand 87B illustrate how an antenna having five main beams can be steeredto achieve different effective array beam widths. In FIG. 87A, the fivemain beams are steered so that there is not much overlap in the beams.This radiation pattern of the antenna provides a wide sector ofcoverage. In FIG. 87B, however, the five main beams have been steered sothat there is a significant amount of overlap in the beams. Thisradiation pattern of the antenna provides a narrow sector of coverage.As can be seen in FIGS. 87A and 87B, the antenna embodiments of thepresent invention are well suited to the cell phone applicationdescribed above with regard to FIGS. 81-86. It is noted that theinvention is not limited to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 87A-87B.

FIG. 88 shows an antenna embodiment 8800 of the present invention beingused to simultaneously track multiple moving transmitters, such as thoseon an airplane. Using signal processing techniques, antenna embodimentsof the present invention can be made, which have many main beans thatcan be simultaneously and independently pointed in different directions.In this embodiment, and others, signal processing techniques and controlloops are used to adjust the phase of UFT modules in order to steer inthe main beams of an antenna. FIG. 88 depicts antenna 8800 as having twomain beams 8802A and 8802B. Main beam 8802A is used to track atransmitter on airplane 8804A, while main beam 8802B is used tosimultaneously track a transmitter on airplane 8804B. As would beapparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) given the discussionherein, embodiments of antenna 8800 are contemplated that have more thantwo main beams.

FIG. 89 shows a steerable antenna array according to the presentinvention being used as a collision avoidance system 8900. In thisembodiment of the invention, an antenna beam 8902 is used to scan forobjects in front of a vehicle 8904 to look for objects that may blockthe path of vehicle 8904. When an object that could block the path ofvehicle 8904 is detected by collision avoidance system 8900, vehicle8904 is automatically stopped by collision avoidance system 8900 (orsome other action is taken.)

FIG. 90 depicts a two element phased array antenna 9000 that can be usedto down-convert a 915 MHZ carrier to 455 kHz. Phased array antenna 9000comprises two antenna elements 9002A and 9002B, two UFT modules 9008Aand 9008B, two bias voltage modules 9010A and 9010B, a crystaloscillator 9012 and a summing amplifier 9016. A signal received byantenna element 9002A is feed through a low noise amplifier 9004 and aband pass filter 9006 to UFT module 9008A. A signal received by antennaelement 9002B is fed through a low noise amplifier 9004 and a band passfilter 9006 to UFT module 9008B. Crystal oscillator 9012 produces afrequency of 91.5455 MHZ. Thus, as described herein, the 10^(th)harmonic of the LO is used to down-convert the received signal. Thedown-converted signals from both UFT modules 9008A and 9008B are feedthrough bandpass filters 9014 to summing amplifier 9016. Summingamplifier 9016 combines the output signals from UFT modules 9008A and9008B. The output of summing amplifier 9016 is feed through a band passfilter 9018 to an isolation/buffer amplifier 9020. The output ofisolation/buffer amplifier 9020 is the desired down-converted signal. Inan embodiment of the phased array antenna 9000, bias voltage modules9010A and 9010B are pulse width modulated using field programmable gatearrays that have been lowpass filtered. A low cost embodiment of phasedarray antenna 9000 can be implemented using potentiometers for biascontrol modules 9010A and 9010B. This is illustrated in FIG. 90B withpotentiometers 9022 a and 9022 b.

Based on the design methods described herein, the radiation pattern forphased array antenna 9000 was calculated and compared against measuredresults obtained using an outdoor antenna range. FIGS. 91A-D illustratethe measured vs. predicted performance of the antenna 9000, at variousscan angles. FIG. 91A shows the calculated and measured radiationpattern for phased array antenna 9000, using commercial potentiometersfor bias control modules 9010A and 9010B, at a 0 degree scan angle. FIG.91B shows the calculated and measured radiation pattern for phased arrayantenna 9000 at a −15 degree scan angle. As can be seen in thesefigures, there is good agreement between the calculated and measuredvalues. FIG. 91C shows the calculated and measured radiation pattern forphased array antenna 9000 at a 40 degree scan angle. Finally, FIG. 91Dshows the calculated and measured radiation pattern for phased arrayantenna 9000 at a 15 degree scan angle. The results illustrated in FIGS.91A-D demonstrate that the phased array antennas of the presentinvention perform according to the teaching contained herein.

8.0 CONCLUSION

Example implementations of the systems and components of the inventionhave been described herein. As noted elsewhere, these exampleimplementations have been described for illustrative purposes only, andare not limiting. Other implementation embodiments are possible andcovered by the invention, such as but not limited to software andsoftware/hardware implementations of the systems and components of theinvention. Such implementation embodiments will be apparent to personsskilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein.

While various application embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed above, it should be understood that they have been presentedby way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scopeof the present invention should not be limited by any of theabove-described exemplary embodiments.

1. A phased array antenna, comprising: a first signal path, including afirst antenna element; a first switch module coupled to said firstantenna element; and a first pulse generator coupled to said firstswitch module, wherein said first pulse generator generates a firstplurality of pulses that control sampling by said first switch module; asecond signal path, including a second antenna element; a second switchmodule coupled to said second antenna element; and a second pulsegenerator coupled to said second switch module, wherein said secondpulse generator generates a second plurality of pulses that controlsampling by said second switch module; and means for adjusting a triggertime of said second pulse generator relative to a trigger time of saidfirst pulse generator.
 2. The phased array antenna of claim 1, furthercomprising: an adder coupled to an output of said first switch moduleand an output of said second switch module.
 3. The phased array antennaof claim 2, wherein said adder adds a frequency translated output ofsaid first switch module and a frequency translated output of saidsecond switch module.
 4. The phased array antenna of claim 1, furthercomprising a local oscillator that is coupled to an input to said firstpulse generator, wherein said local oscillator generates a localoscillator signal that determines a frequency of said first plurality ofpulses that are generated by said first plurality of pulses.
 5. Thephased array antenna of claim 4, wherein said local oscillator is alsocoupled to an input to said second pulse generator, wherein said localoscillator signal also determines a frequency of said second pluralityof pulses.
 6. The phased array antenna of claim 4, wherein said meansfor adjusting comprises a means for level shifting said local oscillatorsignal.
 7. The phased array antenna of claim 6, wherein said means foradjusting comprises a first bias voltage coupled to an input of saidfirst pulse generator, wherein said first bias voltage level shifts saidlocal oscillator signal and thereby adjusts a trigger time of said firstpulse generator.
 8. The phased array antenna of claim 7, wherein saidmeans for adjusting comprises a second bias voltage coupled to an inputof said second pulse generator, wherein said second bias voltage levelshifts said local oscillator signal and thereby adjusts a trigger timeof said second pulse generator.
 9. The phased array of antenna of claim8, wherein said second bias voltage is different from said first biasvoltage, and thereby said second plurality of pulses is phase-shiftedrelative to said first plurality of pulses.
 10. The phased array antennaof claim 8, further comprising a controller coupled to said first biasvoltage and said second bias voltage, wherein said controller determinessaid first bias voltage and second bias voltage to steer an antenna beamof said phased array antenna to a desired angle.
 11. The phased arrayantenna of claim 4, wherein said means for adjusting comprises a meansfor delaying said local oscillator signal.
 12. The phased array antennaof claim 11, wherein said means for delaying comprises a first delaycoupled between said local oscillator and said first pulse generator.13. The phased array antenna of claim 12, wherein said means fordelaying comprises a second delay coupled between said local oscillatorand said second pulse generator.
 14. The phased array antenna of claim13, wherein said second delay is different from said first delay. 15.The phased array antenna of claim 14, further comprising a controllercoupled to said first delay and said second delay, wherein saidcontroller determines said first delay and said second delay to steer anantenna beam of said phased array antenna to a desired angle.
 16. Thephased array antenna of claim 4, wherein said means for adjustingcomprises a means for changing a shape of said local oscillator signal.17. The phased array antenna of claim 16, wherein said means forchanging a shape comprises a means for selecting between multiple localoscillator signals having corresponding one or more signal shapes. 18.The phased array antenna of claim 1, wherein said first plurality ofpulses have pulse widths that are sufficient to transfer non-negligibleamounts of energy from a first EM signal that is received at said firstantenna element, and wherein said second plurality of pulses have pulsewidths that are sufficient to transfer non-negligible amounts of energyfrom a second EM signal that is received at said second antenna element.19. The phased array antenna of claim 18, further comprising a firststorage module coupled to said first switch module, and wherein saidfirst storage module receives said non-negligible amounts of energy fromsaid first EM signal.
 20. The phased array antenna of claim 18, furthercomprising a second storage module coupled to said second switch module,and wherein said second storage module receives said non-negligibleamounts of energy from said first EM signal.
 21. A phased array antenna,comprising: a first signal path, including a first antenna element thatreceived a first input signal; a first switch module coupled to saidfirst antenna element; a first pulse generator that receives a firstbiased local oscillator signal and generates a first plurality of pulsesthat control sampling of said first input signal by said first switchmodule, wherein said first plurality of pulses have pulse widths thatare sufficient to transfer energy from said first input signal duringsampling by said first switch module; and a first bias voltage that isused with a local oscillator signal to generate said first biased localoscillator signal; a second signal path, including a second antennaelement that receives a second input signal; a second switch modulecoupled to said second antenna element; a second pulse generator thatreceives a second biased local oscillator signal and generates a secondplurality of pulses that control sampling of said second input signal bysaid second switch module, and wherein said second plurality of pulseshave pulse widths that are sufficient to transfer energy from saidsecond input signal during sampling by said second switch module; and asecond bias voltage that is used with said local oscillator signal togenerate said second biased local oscillator signal; and a controllerthat adjusts said first bias voltage and said second bias voltage tosteer an antenna beam of said phased array antenna to a desired angle.22. The phased array antenna of 21, wherein said first pulse generatortriggers and generates a pulse of said plurality of pulses when saidfirst biased LO signal exceeds a threshold of said first pulsegenerator.
 23. The phased array antenna of 21, wherein said second pulsegenerator triggers and generates a pulse of said plurality of pules whensaid second biased LO signal exceeds a threshold of said second pulsegenerator.
 24. The phased array antenna of claim 21, wherein said firstbias voltage is different from said second bias voltage, and therebysaid first plurality of pulses are phase shifted relative to said secondplurality of pulses.
 25. The phased array antenna of claim 21, furthercomprising a summer that is coupled to an output of said first switchmodule and an output of said second switch module.
 26. The phased arrayantenna of claim 21, further comprising a power splitter that coupled toan input of said first switch module and an input of said second switchmodule.
 27. The phased array antenna of claim 21, wherein an output ofsaid first switch module is a down-converted image of said first inputsignal, and wherein an output of said second switch module is adown-converted image of said second input signal.
 28. The phased arrayantenna of claim 27, further comprising a summer that sums said firstdown-converted image and said second down-converted image, resulting ina down-converted output signal.
 29. The phased array antenna of claim21, wherein an output of said first switch module is an up-convertedimage of said first input signal, and wherein an output of said secondswitch module is an up-converted image of said second input signal. 30.The phased array antenna of claim 29, wherein said up-converted image ofsaid first input signal is transmitted by said first antenna element,and said up-converted image of said second input is transmitted by saidsecond antenna element.
 31. The phased array antenna of claim 29,further comprising a power divider that receives a baseband signal andgenerates said first input signal and said second input signal.
 32. Thephased array antenna of claim 21, further comprising: a first storagemodule coupled to said first switch module, wherein said first storagemodule receives said non-negligible amounts of energy from said firstswitch module; and a second storage module coupled to said second switchmodule, wherein said second storage module receives said non-negligibleamounts of energy from said second switch module.
 33. A phased arrayantenna, comprising: a first signal path, including a first antennaelement; a first switch module coupled to said first antenna element; afirst pulse generator that receives a first delayed local oscillatorsignal and generates a first plurality of pulses that control samplingof a first input signal by said switch module, wherein said firstplurality of pulses have pulse widths that are sufficient to transferenergy from said first input signal during sampling by said first switchmodule; and a first delay that delays a local oscillator signal togenerate said first delayed local oscillator signal; a second signalpath, including a second antenna element; a second switch module coupledsaid second antenna element; a second pulse generator that receives asecond delayed local oscillator signal and generates a second pluralityof pulses that control sampling of a second input signal by said secondswitch module, and wherein said second plurality of pulses have pulsewidths that are sufficient to transfer energy from said second inputsignal during sampling by said second switch module; and a second delaythat delays said local oscillator signal to generate said second delayedlocal oscillator signal; a controller that adjusts said first delay andsaid second delay to steer an antenna beam of said phased array antennato a desired angle.
 34. The phased array antenna of 33, wherein saidfirst pulse generator triggers and generates a pulse when said firstdelayed LO signal exceeds a threshold of said first pulse generator. 35.The phased array antenna of 33, wherein said second pulse generatortriggers and generates a pulse when said second delayed LO signalexceeds a threshold of said second pulse generator.
 36. The phased arrayantenna of claim 33, wherein said first delay is different from saidsecond delay, and thereby said first plurality of pulses are phaseshifted relative to said second plurality of pulses.
 37. The phasedarray antenna of claim 33, further comprising a summer that is coupledto an output of said first switch module and an output of said secondswitch module.
 38. The phased array antenna of claim 33, furthercomprising a power splitter that coupled to an input of said firstswitch module and an input of said second switch module.
 39. The phasedarray antenna of claim 33, wherein an output of said first switch moduleis a down-converted image of said first input signal, and wherein anoutput of said second switch module is a down-converted image of saidsecond input signal.
 40. The phased array antenna of claim 39, furthercomprising a summer that sums said first down-converted image and saidsecond down-converted image, resulting in a down-converted outputsignal.
 41. The phased array antenna of claim 33, wherein an output ofsaid first switch module is an up-converted image of said first inputsignal, and wherein an output of said second switch module is anup-converted image of said second input signal.
 42. The phased arrayantenna of claim 41, wherein said up-converted image of said first inputsignal is transmitted by said first antenna element, and saidup-converted image of said second input is transmitted by said secondantenna element.
 43. The phased array antenna of claim 41, furthercomprising a power divider that receives a baseband signal and generatessaid first input signal and said second input signal.
 44. The phasedarray antenna of claim 33, further comprising: a first storage modulecoupled to said first switch module, wherein said first storage modulereceives said non-negligible amounts of energy from said first switchmodule; and a second storage module coupled to said second switchmodule, wherein said second storage module receives said non-negligibleamounts of energy from said second switch module.